U.S. patent application number 16/202672 was filed with the patent office on 2019-03-28 for incontinence detection pad manufacturing method.
The applicant listed for this patent is Hill-Rom Services, Inc.. Invention is credited to Eric D. Benz, John D. Christie, Steven A. Dixon, Kirsten M. Emmons, Yongji Fu, John V. Harmeyer, Michael S. Hood, Brett Knittle, Gavin M. Monson, Marwan Nusair, Todd P. O'Neal, David L. Ribble, Douglas A. Seim, Ryan S. Severns, Dan R. Tallent, James D. Voll, Bryan Weidman, Neal Wiggermann, Gregory Wiley.
Application Number | 20190091074 16/202672 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58717799 |
Filed Date | 2019-03-28 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190091074 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Monson; Gavin M. ; et
al. |
March 28, 2019 |
INCONTINENCE DETECTION PAD MANUFACTURING METHOD
Abstract
An incontinence detection system monitors an area for moisture
events and wirelessly transmits moisture-related information to one
or more notification devices. The system has a pad that includes a
substrate and one or more sensors supported by the substrate. The
sensor(s) emit wireless signals indicative of the moisture-related
information. A sensor event communication system forwards the
sensor signals to another device, such as a notification device.
Portions of the system are included in a patient support apparatus,
such as a bed.
Inventors: |
Monson; Gavin M.; (Oxford,
OH) ; O'Neal; Todd P.; (Fairfield, OH) ;
Ribble; David L.; (Indianapolis, IN) ; Tallent; Dan
R.; (Hope, IN) ; Christie; John D.;
(Batesville, IN) ; Emmons; Kirsten M.;
(Batesville, IN) ; Fu; Yongji; (Harrison, OH)
; Hood; Michael S.; (Batesville, IN) ; Seim;
Douglas A.; (Okeana, OH) ; Severns; Ryan S.;
(Grand Rapids, MI) ; Voll; James D.; (Columbus,
IN) ; Wiley; Gregory; (Indianapolis, IN) ;
Dixon; Steven A.; (Riverview, FL) ; Weidman;
Bryan; (Columbus, IN) ; Benz; Eric D.;
(Sunman, IN) ; Knittle; Brett; (Oldenburg, IN)
; Nusair; Marwan; (Cincinnati, OH) ; Wiggermann;
Neal; (Batesville, IN) ; Harmeyer; John V.;
(Cleves, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hill-Rom Services, Inc. |
Batesville |
IN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58717799 |
Appl. No.: |
16/202672 |
Filed: |
November 28, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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15708589 |
Sep 19, 2017 |
10159607 |
|
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16202672 |
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PCT/US2016/062167 |
Nov 16, 2016 |
|
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15708589 |
|
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62255592 |
Nov 16, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/7465 20130101;
G06K 19/07718 20130101; A61B 5/6892 20130101; A61G 7/015 20130101;
G16H 40/20 20180101; A61B 5/207 20130101; G06K 7/10356 20130101;
G06K 7/10366 20130101; A61B 5/202 20130101; G06K 7/10069 20130101;
A61B 5/05 20130101; G01M 3/045 20130101; A61B 2503/08 20130101;
Y10T 156/1052 20150115; A61F 2013/424 20130101; A61G 2203/70
20130101; G08B 21/20 20130101; A61B 2560/0468 20130101; H01Q 1/2216
20130101; A61B 2562/164 20130101; G06K 7/0095 20130101; A61B 5/6802
20130101; Y10T 156/1056 20150115; A61B 5/6808 20130101; A61G
2203/30 20130101; H01Q 9/0407 20130101; G06K 7/10168 20130101; A61G
2205/60 20130101; A61B 5/0022 20130101; A61G 7/05 20130101; A61B
5/6804 20130101; A61F 13/42 20130101; H01Q 9/0457 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61F 13/42 20060101
A61F013/42; G16H 40/20 20180101 G16H040/20; G06K 7/10 20060101
G06K007/10; H01Q 9/04 20060101 H01Q009/04; H01Q 1/22 20060101
H01Q001/22; A61G 7/05 20060101 A61G007/05; A61G 7/015 20060101
A61G007/015; G06F 19/00 20180101 G06F019/00; A61B 5/00 20060101
A61B005/00; A61B 5/20 20060101 A61B005/20 |
Claims
1. A method of manufacturing an incontinence detection pad, the
method comprising unrolling a continuous roll of backsheet material
having a series of electrode traces printed thereon, each electrode
trace on the continuous roll having a sacrificial trace portion,
attaching an RFID tag to a pair of terminal ends of a first trace
electrode of the series of electrode traces, testing the first
electrode trace by exciting the RFID tag with energy to confirm
that the first electrode trace forms a completed short circuit
between the terminal ends of the first electrode trace, and cutting
the backsheet material at a location which severs the sacrificial
trace portion from the rest of the first electrode trace, thereby
leaving a pair of spaced moisture detection electrode traces on a
first backsheet for a first incontinence detection pad and leaving
the sacrificial trace portion behind on a trailing, second
backsheet for a second incontinence detection pad.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising laminating an
absorbent core to a top sheet to form a laminate and attaching the
laminate to the backsheet to sandwich the absorbent core between
the top sheet and the backsheet.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the laminate is attached to the
backsheet after testing the first electrode trace by exciting the
RFID tag with energy.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein the laminate is attached to the
backsheet before testing the first electrode trace by exciting the
RFID tag with energy.
5. The method of claim 2, wherein laminating the absorbent core to
the top sheet comprises using a lined, combed, slot coating process
to deposit glue in substantially parallel rows on the top
sheet.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the substantially parallel rows
of glue deposited on the top sheet are each about 1 mm wide with a
spacing between the parallel rows of about 4 mm.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein attaching the RFID tag to the
pair of terminal ends of the first trace electrode of the series of
electrode traces comprises removing the RFID tag from a roll of
material carrying a series of RFID tags and adhering the RFID tag
to the backsheet material.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing an identifier
of the RFID tag of any incontinence pad for which the first
electrode trace does not form a completed short circuit between the
terminal ends of the first electrode trace as determined by the
testing, whereby the identifier indicates a rejected incontinence
detection pad.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising exciting the RFID tag
with energy a second time to read the identifier of the rejected
incontinence detection pad and scrapping the rejected incontinence
detection pad by removing it from a manufacturing line.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising folding the
backsheet, the absorbent core, and the top sheet before exciting
the RFID tag with energy the second time.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein cutting the backsheet material
at the location which severs the sacrificial trace portion from the
rest of the first electrode trace occurs after the backsheet,
absorbent core, and top sheet are folded and before exciting the
RFID tag with energy the second time.
12. The method of claim 1, further comprising adding a mark to any
incontinence pad for which the first electrode trace does not form
a completed short circuit between the terminal ends of the first
electrode trace as determined by the testing, whereby the mark
indicates a rejected incontinence detection pad.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the mark becomes visible when
exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light.
14. A method of using the incontinence detection pad of claim 1
after completion of the incontinence detection pad, the method of
using comprising placing the incontinence detection pad on a
patient support apparatus comprising a frame including a patient
support deck having a plurality of deck sections, a first deck
section of the plurality of deck sections being movable relative to
at least a second deck section, a mattress supported by the patient
support deck, the mattress having a portion that moves with the
first deck section, a reader coupled to the frame and operable to
read data from the RFID tag of the incontinence detection pad, a
first antenna coupled to an upper surface of the first deck section
to move therewith, and a second antenna coupled to an upper surface
of the second deck section, wherein the RFID tag is excited by
energy emitted from at least one of the first and second antennae
through the mattress and data from the RFID tag of the incontinence
pad is reflected back to at least one of the first and second
antennae through the mattress.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein after completion of the
incontinence detection pad, the incontinence detection pad
comprises a top sheet made of a fluid permeable material, a
backsheet comprising a first layer of fluid impermeable material, a
conductive ink pattern provided on the first layer and configured
to form a first electrode trace and a second electrode trace, a
passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag attached to the
first layer and having electrical contacts that couple to
respective ends of the first and second electrode traces, and an
absorbent core situated between the top sheet and the backsheet,
wherein wetness bridging between the first and second electrode
traces is detectable by the passive RFID tag in response to the
passive RFID tag being excited by external energy.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein after completion of the
incontinence detection pad, the incontinence detection pad is used
in an incontinence detection system for monitoring an area for the
occurrence of incontinent events in the area, the incontinence
detection system comprising: a substrate of the incontinence
detection pad having a length and width defining a monitoring area;
a sensor of the incontinence detection pad coupled to the
monitoring area and having a transmitter configured to transmit a
wireless signal, the sensor including a plurality of electrically
conductive traces coupled to inputs of the transmitter, each trace
of the plurality of electrically conductive traces being arranged
at measureable distances from each of the other traces of the
plurality of traces on the substrate; and a controller configured
to determine a fluid volume in the substrate based on the wireless
signal transmitted by the transmitter and the distances between the
electrically conductive traces, wherein a fluid volume threshold is
variable among a plurality of fluid volume thresholds so that the
controller generates an alarm if the fluid volume exceeds a
selected fluid volume threshold and so that the controller does not
generate the alarm if the fluid volume is below the selected fluid
volume threshold.
17. The method of claim 1, the incontinence detection pad is used
in an incontinence detection system comprising: at least one RFID
sensor comprising the RFID tag and the electrode traces which form
a trace fluid detection grid configured to detect a moisture event,
a reader configured to poll the at least one RFID sensor for
detection of the moisture event, and a controller that communicates
the moisture event with one or more remote alert systems in
response to a signal from the reader that a moisture event took
place.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the incontinence detection
system further comprises an analog-to-digital converter (ADC)
coupled to the at least one RFID sensor, the ADC having an output
that provides an indication if the trace fluid detection grid is
broken.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the ADC is included as part of
an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the incontinence detection
system further comprises an RF suppressor coupled to the trace
fluid detection grid and coupled to the ADC.
Description
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 15/708,589, filed Sep. 19, 2017, now U.S. Pat.
No. ______, which is a continuation of International Application
No. PCT/US2016/062167, which was filed Nov. 16, 2016, which claimed
the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e), of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/255,592, which was filed Nov. 16, 2015, and each
of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates to incontinence detection
systems and particularly, to incontinence detection systems that
use a pad beneath a person lying in a hospital bed. More
particularly, the present disclosure relates to incontinence
detection systems that are able to communicate wirelessly.
[0003] Good medical practice dictates that patients who are
incontinent should be removed from the wet environment as soon as
possible to avoid skin breakdown which can potentially lead to
pressure ulcers. Prior art incontinent detection systems that
generate an alarm when wetness is detected are known. False alarms
are sometimes generated in such systems due to perspiration rather
than biofluids from incontinent events. Thus, incontinence
detection systems that reduce the number of false alarms would be
appreciated caregivers. Also, caregivers will appreciate
incontinence detection systems that communicate with other
healthcare information systems due to the enhanced alerting and
data collection that such systems will permit.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present application discloses one or more of the
features recited in the appended claims and/or the following
features which, alone or in any combination, may comprise
patentable subject matter:
[0005] According to the present disclosure, an incontinence
detection system for monitoring an area for the occurrence of
incontinent events in the area may be provided. The incontinence
detection system may include a substrate having a length and width
defining a monitoring area. A sensor may be coupled to the
monitoring area and may have a transmitter configured to transmit a
wireless signal. The sensor may include a plurality of electrically
conductive traces that may be coupled to inputs of the transmitter.
Each trace of the plurality of electrically conductive traces may
be arranged at measureable distances from each of the other traces
of the plurality of traces on the substrate. A controller may be
configured to determine a fluid volume in the substrate based on
the wireless signal transmitted by the transmitter and the
distances between the electrically conductive traces.
[0006] In some embodiments, the distances between each trace of the
plurality of electrically conductive traces may correlate to
predetermined volumes of moisture. Alternatively or additionally,
the distances between each trace of the plurality of electrically
conductive traces may be predetermined based on the area of the
substrate and the absorption properties of the substrate. The
plurality of electrically conductive traces includes may include at
least three electrically conductive traces, for example. In some
embodiments, the at least three electrically conductive traces may
be positioned in predetermined parallel distances from each other
in order to detect 50 mL and 100 mL moisture volumes. The
transmitter may include a passive radio frequency identification
(RFID) circuit.
[0007] In some embodiments, a fluid volume threshold may be
variable among a plurality of fluid volume thresholds so that the
controller may generate an alarm if the fluid volume exceeds a
selected fluid volume threshold and so that the controller may not
generate the alarm if the fluid volume is below the selected fluid
volume threshold. The plurality of electrically conductive traces
may be laid out in a grid pattern to define a plurality of sensing
blocks and wherein the fluid volume may be estimated by the
controller based on how many sensing blocks of the plurality of
sensing blocks have been exposed to fluid. The selected fluid
volume threshold may be selected automatically by the controller
based on information received from a remote computer relating to a
condition of a patient. For example, the selected fluid volume
threshold may be smaller if the condition of the patient indicates
that the patient may be at risk of developing pressure ulcers than
if the condition of the patient indicates that the patient may not
be at risk of developing pressure ulcers.
[0008] In some embodiments, first and second fluid volume
thresholds may be selectable from among more than two fluid volume
thresholds. The controller may generate a first alarm if the first
fluid volume threshold is sensed and the controller may generate a
second alarm if the second fluid volume threshold is sensed. The
first alarm may be different than the second alarm. For example,
the first alarm may include a visual alarm and the second alarm may
include an audible alarm. Alternatively or additionally, the first
alarm may include an audible alarm at a first volume of loudness
and the second alarm may include an audible alarm at a second
volume of loudness. The first volume of loudness may be different
than the second volume of loudness.
[0009] In some embodiments, at least one of the first alarm and the
second alarm may include a transmission to a nurse call system.
Alternatively or additionally, the first alarm may include a first
textual message presented on a display and the second alarm may
include a second textual message presented on the display. Thus,
the first alarm may include a first visual alarm and the second
alarm may include a second visual alarm.
[0010] Further according to the present disclosure, a controller
for an incontinence detection system may be provided and may
include a processor and a memory that may have stored therein a
plurality of instructions that when executed by the processor may
cause the controller to: receive sensed data from a sensor that may
include a plurality of electrically conductive traces; determine if
incontinence is detected based on the received sensed data;
determine a number of the electrically conductive traces that may
have been exposed to a fluid based on the received sensed data;
determine a volume of fluid based on the determined number of
electrically conductive traces exposed to fluid; select an
appropriate alert from a plurality of alerts based on the computed
fluid volume; and transmit the appropriate alert.
[0011] In some embodiments, the appropriate alert may be a
patient-specific alarm dependent on a patient condition.
Alternatively or additionally, the appropriate alert may be a
patient-specific alarm dependent upon a pre-defined moisture
volume. The plurality of alerts may include a plurality of visual
alerts indicative of no moisture, moisture volume up to a
predefined threshold, and a moisture volume above the predefined
threshold. Thus, the plurality of visual alerts may include a
plurality of pre-assigned colors.
[0012] Also according to the present disclosure, an incontinence
event communication system may include an antenna that may be
configured to wirelessly receive a sensor signal that may be
emitted by a sensor. The sensor signal may be indicative of a
moisture event. A scanner may be configured to detect the physical
presence of a caregiver in proximity to a patient. A controller may
be configured to power the antenna to receive the sensor signal in
response to detection of the caregiver in proximity to the patient
by the scanner to cause the antenna to receive signals from the
sensor.
[0013] In some embodiments, the scanner and controller may be
integrated into a mobile device. The scanner may be further
configured to scan a barcode. The barcode may be associated with
one of the sensor, the patient, a location of the patient, and
equipment holding the patient. The scanner may be configured to
actively or passively detect the proximity of the caregiver to the
patient. For example, the scanner may detect the caregiver by
sensing the proximity of a caregiver access card or identification
card. Upon detection of the caregiver in proximity to the patient
by the scanner, the controller may provide power to the antenna and
may report an incontinence status to the caregiver.
[0014] Further according to the present disclosure, an incontinence
detection system for monitoring an area for the occurrence of
moisture events in the area may be provided and may include a
substrate having a length and width defining a monitoring area and
a passive sensor that may include a first connection trace, a
second connection trace, and a plurality of electrically conductive
sensing traces that may be spaced apart from each other by
measureable distances. Some of the sensing traces of the plurality
of sensing traces may be coupled to the first connection trace and
others of the sensing traces of the plurality of sensing traces may
be coupled to the second connection trace. A shield may cover the
first and second connection traces to prevent exposure of the first
and second connection traces to moisture. The plurality of
electrically conductive sensing traces may be arranged at
measureable distances from one another on the substrate. A
controller may be configured to detect moisture in the substrate
based on a signal received from the wireless sensor in response to
fluid bridging a space between at least one of the sensing traces
coupled to the first connection trace and one of the sensing traces
coupled to the second connection trace.
[0015] In some embodiments, the substrate is wearable. Each of the
plurality of electrically conductive sensing traces may extend in
substantially perpendicular relation from its respective first and
second connection trace. The measurable distance between adjacent
sensing traces may be such that the minimum volume of moisture
detected is 150 mL.
[0016] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an
incontinence detection system may include a pad having a plurality
of layers including a top non-woven layer configured to be
contacted by a user of the pad and a sensor grid that may be
printed onto one of the plurality layers of the pad and that may be
configured to detect moisture in the pad. The sensor grid may be
printed onto one of a barrier layer, a non-woven substrate layer,
and a film substrate layer.
[0017] In some embodiments, the sensor grid may be printed on a
layer positioned beneath an absorbent layer having a super
absorbent polymer. The sensing grid may be printed on a surface of
the non-woven substrate that contacts the absorbent layer. The
sensing grid may be printed on a surface of the non-woven substrate
that contacts the barrier layer. The sensor grid may be printed on
the barrier layer. For example, the sensing grid layer may be
printed on the film substrate layer of the barrier layer.
[0018] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, an
incontinence detection system may include at least one RFID sensor
that may have a trace fluid detection grid that may be configured
to detect a moisture event. A reader may be configured to poll the
at least one sensor for detection of the moisture event. A
controller may communicate the moisture event with one or more
remote alert systems in response to a signal from the reader that a
moisture event took place.
[0019] In some embodiments, the at least one RFID sensor may
include two RFID sensors. Each sensor may include a fluid detection
grid, a tuning circuit and a communications circuit, that may be
mounted to a substrate for positioning beneath a user. The
controller may communicate the moisture event to at least one of a
nurse call system, an electronic medical record (EMR) system, an
alert light, or a caregiver's mobile device.
[0020] In some embodiments, the incontinence detection system may
include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that may be coupled to
the sensor. The ADC may have an output that may provide an
indication if the trace fluid detection grid is broken. The ADC may
be included as part of an application specific integrated circuit
(ASIC), for example. The incontinence detection system may also
have an RF suppressor that may be coupled to the trace fluid
detection grid and that may be coupled to the ADC. The trace fluid
detection grid may form a loop. A resistance of the loop may change
depending upon an amount and location of moisture on the loop. The
ADC may have an output that correlates to the resistance of the
loop.
[0021] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a patient
support apparatus may include a frame that may include a patient
support deck that may have a plurality of deck sections. A first
deck section of the plurality of deck sections may be movable
relative to at least a second deck section. A mattress may be
supported by the patient support deck. The mattress may have a
portion that moves with the first deck section. The patient support
apparatus may further include an incontinence detection pad for
placement on an upper surface of the mattress. The incontinence
detection pad may have a passive radio frequency identification
(RFID) tag. A reader may be coupled to the frame and may be
operable to read data from the RFID tag. A first antenna may
coupled to an upper surface of the first deck section to move
therewith. A second antenna may be coupled to an upper surface of
the second deck section. The RFID tag may be excited by energy
emitted from at least one of the first and second antennae through
the mattress and data from the RFID tag of the incontinence pad may
be reflected back to at least one of the first and second antennae
through the mattress.
[0022] In some embodiments, the patient support deck may have a
first side that may extend in a longitudinal dimension of the
patient support apparatus and a second side that may extend in the
longitudinal dimension of the patient support apparatus. The
incontinence detection pad may be configured so that, when the
incontinence detection pad is properly oriented on the mattress,
the RFID tag may be closer to the first side of the patient support
deck than the second side. The first and second antennae may be
each positioned closer to the first side of the patient support
deck than the second side.
[0023] It is contemplated that the frame may have a head end and a
foot end. The incontinence detection pad may be generally
quadrilateral in shape. In some embodiments, the incontinence
detection pad may have first indicia indicating that a first edge
of the quadrilateral should be oriented toward the head end of the
frame. Alternatively or additionally, the incontinence detection
pad may have second indicia indicating that a second edge of the
quadrilateral, opposite the first edge, should be oriented toward
the foot end of the frame. Stated another way, the incontinence
detection pad may be generally quadrilateral in shape and may have
first indicia indicating that a first edge of the quadrilateral
should be oriented toward the foot end of the frame.
[0024] In some embodiments, the first and second deck sections each
may have a hole therethrough. A first cable may couple the first
antenna to the reader and a second cable may couple the second
antenna to the reader. The first cable may be routed through the
hole of the first deck section and/or the second cable may be
routed through the hole of the second deck section.
[0025] In some embodiments, the second deck section may be movable
relative to a third deck section. The third deck section may be
situated between the first and second deck sections. For example,
the first deck section may support a torso of a patient located on
the mattress, the second deck section may support thighs of the
patient located on the mattress, and the third deck section may
support a buttocks of the patient located on the mattress. It is
contemplated that a first gap may be defined between the first deck
section and the third deck section and a second gap may be defined
between the second deck section and the third deck section. A first
cable may couple the first antenna to the reader and a second cable
may couple the second antenna to the reader. The first cable may be
routed through the first gap and the second cable being may be
routed through the second gap.
[0026] In some embodiments, the frame may have a head end and a
foot end and the patient support apparatus may further include an
indicator unit that may be attached to the frame adjacent the foot
end. The indicator unit may be signaled by the reader to provide a
visual indication that the incontinence detection pad has detected
incontinence. The indicator unit may have a light that is
illuminated a first color in response to the incontinence detection
pad detecting wetness, for example. The light may be illuminated a
second color when the incontinence detection pad is in
communication with the reader and the incontinence detection pad
has not detected wetness. In some embodiments, the light may flash
in response to the incontinence detection pad detecting wetness.
The first color may comprise amber or yellow and the light may be
illuminated green when the incontinence detection pad is in
communication with the reader and the incontinence detection pad
has not detected wetness. The light may be illuminated a third
color when the reader is not in communication with the incontinence
detection pad. For example, the first color may be amber or yellow,
the second color may be green, and the third color may be
white.
[0027] In some embodiments of the patient support apparatus, the
first deck section may include a stationary portion and a
translating portion that translates relative to the stationary
portion as the first deck section is raised and lowered relative to
at least one other portion of the frame. The first antenna may be
coupled to the translating portion of the first deck section. The
patient support deck may have a first side extending in a
longitudinal dimension of the patient support apparatus. The first
antenna may be located a first distance from the first side and the
second antenna may be located a second distance from the first
side. For example, the second distance may be larger than the first
distance or vice versa.
[0028] The first deck section may support a torso of a patient
located on the mattress. The second deck section may be a movable
section that supports thighs of the patient located on the
mattress. In some embodiments, the patient support deck may include
stationary portions situated along opposite sides of the second
section such that the second section may nest between the
stationary portions when the second section is in a lowered
position. The stationary portions of the patient support deck may
be included as part of a seat section of the patient support deck,
for example. The seat section may have a connecting portion that
interconnects the stationary portions. Thus, the connecting portion
may be located between the first and section sections of the
patient support deck.
[0029] The patient support apparatus may further include an output
port that is wired to the reader. The frame may have a head end and
a foot end and the output port may be located adjacent the head end
of the frame. In some embodiments, the frame may include a base
frame and an upper frame that may support the patient support deck
for upward and downward movement relative to the base frame. The
reader may be coupled to the upper frame and the output port may be
coupled to the base frame. The upper frame may include a
longitudinally extending frame member and the reader may be coupled
to the longitudinally extending frame member about midway between
the head end and foot end of the frame, for example. In some
embodiments, the output port comprises a female receptacle for a'/4
inch jack.
[0030] The patient support apparatus may further include bed
circuitry that may be coupled to the frame and operable to control
bed functions. The bed circuitry may have an output port through
which bed data is transmitted. The reader may be coupled to the bed
circuitry. Thus, in some embodiments, the reader may send to the
bed circuitry detection information that may indicate whether the
incontinence detection pad has detected wetness or has not detected
wetness. The bed circuitry may transmit the detection information
through the output port of the bed circuitry. For example, the
detection information may be transmitted in one or more data
packets that also include the bed data. Alternatively or
additionally, the detection information may be transmitted in one
or more data packets that do not include the bed data. In some
embodiments, the reader may be configured to communicate wirelessly
with a receiver of a network of a healthcare facility. Such
wireless communication capability of the reader may be in lieu of,
or in addition to, wired communication capability.
[0031] Accordance to a further aspect of the present disclosure, an
incontinence detection system may be provided for use with a
patient support apparatus that may have a head end and a foot end.
Thus, the incontinence detection system may retrofit onto existing
beds. The incontinence detection system may include an incontinence
detection pad that may have a passive radio frequency
identification (RFID) tag. The incontinence detection may also have
a reader that may be attachable to the patient support apparatus
and that may bed operable to read data from the passive RFID tag. A
first antenna may be attachable to the patient support apparatus. A
second antenna may be housed separately from the first antenna and
may be attachable to the patient support apparatus at a location
spaced from the first antenna.
[0032] The first and second antenna may be electrically coupled to
the reader. The passive RFID tag may be excited by energy emitted
from at least one of the first and second antennae and the data
from the RFID tag of the incontinence pad may be reflected back to
at least one of the first and second antennae. The incontinence
detection system may further include a visual indicator that may be
electrically coupled to the reader by a first cable that may have
sufficient length to permit the visual indicator to be mounted
adjacent the foot end of the patient support apparatus. The
incontinence detection system may also have an output port that may
be electrically coupled to the reader by a second cable that may
have sufficient length to permit the output port to be mounted
adjacent the head end of the patient support apparatus. In some
embodiments, one or more of the visual indicator, the first cable,
the visual indicator, and the second cable may be omitted from the
incontinence detection system.
[0033] In some embodiments, the reader may be operable to write
data to the passive RFID tag via the first and second antenna. A
first bit of the data stored in the passive RFID tag may be set in
response to the incontinence detection pad detecting wetness, for
example. The first bit may not be set if the incontinence detection
pad does not detect wetness. The first bit may change from being
set to not being set in response to the incontinence detection pad
becoming sufficiently dry after the incontinence detection pad has
detected wetness. In some embodiments, a second bit of data stored
in the passive RFID tag may be set in response to the incontinence
detection pad detecting wetness and the second bit of data may
remain set even after the incontinence detection pad becomes
sufficiently dry after the incontinence detection pad has detected
wetness to cause the first bit to change states back to not being
set. Under such circumstances, the second bit may serve as a kill
bit that indicates to the reader that the incontinence detection
pad cannot be used again once it becomes dry after having been
wet.
[0034] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the data
transferred between the passive RFID tag and the reader may be
encrypted. The incontinence detection pad may include a top sheet,
a backsheet having a pair of electrodes that are printed on the
backsheet and that are electrically coupled to the passive RFID
tag, and an absorbent core sandwiched between the top sheet and the
backsheet.
[0035] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure,
an antenna for use in an incontinence detection system may be
provided. The antenna may include a housing and a ground plate that
may be coupled to the housing and that may have a perimetral edge
that has generally the same shape as is defined by a perimeteral
side wall of the housing such that the ground plate may nest within
the housing with minimal clearance between the perimetral edge and
the perimetral side wall. For example, about one millimeter (mm) or
less is within the scope of the term "minimal clearance" according
to this disclosure.
[0036] The antenna may include a nonconductive substrate that may
carry an antenna plate thereon. A set of spacers may support the
nonconductive substrate in substantially parallel spaced relation
with the ground plate to form a gap therebetween. A cable may
extend through the perimetral side wall of the housing and into the
gap in substantially parallel relation with the ground plate and
the nonconductive substrate. The cable may have at its terminal end
at least one first conductor that may be routed so as to be coupled
to the antenna plate carried by the nonconductive substrate and at
least one second conductor that may be routed so as to be coupled
to the ground plate.
[0037] In some embodiments, the antenna plate carried by the
nonconductive substrate may be substantially the same shape as the
nonconductive substrate and may be located in the central region of
the nonconductive substrate such that perimetral portions of the
nonconductive substrate may extend beyond a perimeter of the
antenna plate. The set of spacers may be attached to the perimetral
portions of the nonconductive substrate and may be oriented in
perpendicular relation therewith. Each spacer of the set of spacers
may comprise a tubular member. A set of bolts may extend through
respective apertures formed in the ground plate, through respective
bores of the tubular members, through respective holes formed in
the nonconductive substrate, and into threaded holes formed in the
housing. The antenna may have a ground spacer that may extend
between central regions of the nonconductive substrate and the
ground plate in substantially perpendicular relation therewith. The
ground spacer may be cylindrical and may be smaller in diameter
than each spacer of the set of spacers.
[0038] In some embodiments, the shape defined by the perimetral
side wall of the housing may be generally square. Alternatively or
additionally, the shape of the ground plate may be generally
square. Thus, the shape of the nonconductive substrate may be
generally square and the shape of the antenna plate carried by the
nonconductive substrate may be generally square. In some
embodiments, a first length and a first width of the ground plate
may be larger than a second length and a second width,
respectively, of the nonconductive substrate. Optionally, the
second length and the second width of the nonconductive substrate
may be larger than a third length and a third width, respectively,
of the antenna plate carried by the nonconductive substrate. If
desired, the nonconductive substrate may be centered with respect
to the ground plate. Alternatively or additionally, the antenna
plate may be centered with respect to the nonconductive
substrate.
[0039] In some embodiments, the antenna plate may be shaped as an
elongated hexagon that may have first and second spaced apart side
edges that are substantially parallel and that may be longer than
four end edges of the elongated hexagon. Opposite pairs of the end
edges may define opposite ends of the elongated hexagon. Such an
antenna plate may have first and second elongated notches that may
extend from the end edges of the elongated hexagon toward a central
region of the antenna plate. For example, the first and second
elongated notches may be substantially parallel with the first and
second spaced apart side edges of the elongated hexagon. The
notches may be open at the end edges of the elongated hexagon about
midway between the first and second spaced apart side edges of the
elongated hexagon. It is contemplated by this disclosure that the
first and second notches may act as an electronic band gap.
[0040] According to still another aspect of the present disclosure,
an incontinence detection pad may include a top sheet that may be
made of a fluid permeable material and a backsheet that may have a
first layer of fluid impermeable material. A conductive ink pattern
may be provided on the first layer and may be configured to form a
first electrode trace and a second electrode trace. A passive radio
frequency identification (RFID) tag may be attached to the first
layer and may have electrical contacts that couple to respective
ends of the first and second electrode traces. An absorbent core
may be situated between the top sheet and the backsheet. Wetness
bridging between the first and second electrode traces may be
detectable by the passive RFID tag in response to the passive RFID
tag being excited by external energy.
[0041] In some embodiments, the first layer may comprise a low
density polyethylene (LDPE) film. The backsheet may include a
second layer which may comprise a polypropylene spunbond nonwoven
layer to which the LDPE film may be adhered. In some embodiments,
the LDPE film has a weight of about 18 grams per square meter
(gsm). In some embodiments, the polypropylene spunbond nonwoven
layer may have a weight of about 22 gsm. The LDPE film may be
adhered to the polypropylene spunbond nonwoven layer with hot melt
adhesive that may coat substantially an entirety of adjacent
surfaces of the LDPE film and the polypropylene spunbond nonwoven
layer. In some embodiments, a laminate formed by the first and
second layers of the backsheet has a weight of about 48 to about 55
gsm.
[0042] In some embodiments, a minimum perpendicular distance
between centerlines of straight line segment portions of the first
electrode trace and the second electrode trace may be about 190
millimeters (mm). Alternatively or additionally, a centerline of a
first straight line segment portion of the first electrode trace
may be spaced by a perpendicular distance from a second straight
line segment portion of the second electrode trace by a distance of
about 200 mm. In some embodiments, a space between the first
straight line segment portion and the second straight line segment
portion may lack any further electrode trace portions such that
small amounts of fluid deposited in between the first and second
straight line portions may not bridge the space between the first
and second straight line segments unless the amount of fluid
exceeds about 120 milliliters (mL).
[0043] In some embodiments, the first electrode trace may have
first and second straight line segment portions that may be
oriented in a machine direction of the incontinence detection pad
and the second electrode trace may have third and fourth straight
line segment portions that may be oriented in the machine direction
of the incontinence detection pad. A first wicking rate of fluid in
the machine direction may be greater than a second wicking rate of
fluid in a cross direction of the incontinence detection pad. The
first straight line segment portion of the first trace and the
third straight line segment portion of the second trace may extend
all the way to a first peripheral edge of the backsheet.
[0044] In some embodiments, the conductive ink pattern may include
a sacrificial trace segment from a second, next adjacent
incontinence detection pad that was attached to incontinence
detection pad during a manufacturing process prior to the
incontinence detection pad being detached from the second, next
adjacent incontinence detection pad. The sacrificial trace segment
may have a pair of ends terminating at a second peripheral edge of
the of the backsheet. The second peripheral edge may be spaced from
and parallel with the first peripheral edge. The sacrificial trace
segment may be somewhat U-shaped.
[0045] If desired, a tag footprint may be printed on the first
layer of the backsheet to indicate a boundary within which location
of the passive RFID may be assured to result in electrical coupling
between the electrical contacts of the passive RFID tag and the
respective ends of the first and second electrode traces. In some
embodiments, the passive RFID tag may be generally rectangular and
the tag footprint may be generally rectangular in shape. A foam pad
may be situated between the passive RFID tag and the absorbent core
and the foam pad may be sized to fit within the tag footprint. The
foam pad may be adhered to the passive RFID tag with hot melt
adhesive.
[0046] In some embodiments, the backsheet may be generally
rectangular and the first and second electrode traces may have
rounded corner portions spaced from diagonally opposite corners of
the backsheet. A radius defined by a rounded centerline of the
rounded corner portions of the first and second electrode traces
may be about 190 mm. In some embodiments, the LDPE film is corona
treated prior to the conductive ink pattern being printed on the
LDPE film. The absorbent core may comprise an airlaid material.
Optionally, the airlaid material may have a weight of about 135
gsm.
[0047] The backsheet may be rectangular in shape and the absorbent
core may be rectangular in shape with the absorbent core having a
smaller surface area than the backsheet such that peripheral
portions of the backsheet may extend beyond the absorbent core
around a periphery of the absorbent core. For example, end edges of
the absorbent core may be spaced inwardly from end edges of the
backsheet by about 55 mm+/- about 10 mm and wherein side edges of
the absorbent core may be spaced inwardly from side edges of the
backsheet by about 45 mm+/- about 10 mm.
[0048] In some embodiments, the backsheet may contain a
registration mark that is used during manufacturing. Optionally,
the absorbent core may be adhered to the top sheet but not to the
backsheet. For example, the absorbent core may be adhered to the
top sheet with hot melt adhesive that may coat substantially an
entirety of adjacent surfaces of the absorbent core and the top
sheet.
[0049] In some embodiments, the top sheet may be approximately the
same size as the backsheet and may be adhered to the backsheet at
peripheral regions of the top sheet and backsheet. The top sheet
and backsheet may each be rectangular in shape. The peripheral
regions at the ends of the top sheet and backsheet may be adhered
by hot melt adhesive that may be slot coated onto the backsheet.
The peripheral regions at the sides of the top sheet and backsheet
may be adhered by hot melt adhesive that may be sprayed onto the
backsheet. In some embodiments, the top sheet may comprise a
polypropylene spunbond nonwoven material. A weight of the
polypropylene spunbond nonwoven material may be about 17 gsm, for
example.
[0050] In some embodiments, the top sheet may be generally
quadrilateral in shape and the top sheet may have first indicia
indicating that a first edge of the quadrilateral should be
oriented toward a head of a patient under which the incontinence
detection pad may be located. Alternatively or additionally, the
top sheet may have second indicia indicating that a second edge of
the quadrilateral, opposite the first edge, should be oriented
toward feet of the patient. Thus, the top sheet may be generally
quadrilateral in shape and the top sheet may have first indicia
indicating that a first edge of the quadrilateral should be
oriented toward feet of a patient under which the incontinence
detection pad is located.
[0051] In some embodiments, the conductive ink pattern may be
printed on the backsheet and then cured in line during manufacture
of the incontinence detection pad. In some embodiments, additional
reinforcement strips may be attached to the backsheet adjacent to
sides or ends or both thereof. Alternatively or additionally,
additional reinforcement strips may be attached to the top sheet
adjacent to sides or ends or both thereof. In some embodiments,
portions of the backsheet and top sheet adjacent to sides or ends
or both of the incontinence detection pad may be folded over and
adhered to the backsheet to create double thickness reinforced
regions of the incontinence detection pad. In other embodiments,
portions of the backsheet and top sheet adjacent to sides or ends
or both of the incontinence detection pad may be folded over and
adhered to the top sheet to create double thickness reinforced
regions of the incontinence detection pad.
[0052] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a
method of manufacturing an incontinence detection pad is provided.
The method may include unrolling a continuous roll of backsheet
material that may have a series of electrode traces printed
thereon. Each electrode trace on the continuous roll may have a
sacrificial trace portion. The method may further include attaching
an RFID tag to a pair of terminal ends of a first trace electrode
of the series of electrode traces and testing the first electrode
trace by exciting the RFID tag with energy to confirm that the
first electrode trace forms a completed short circuit between the
terminal ends of the first electrode trace. The method also may
include cutting the backsheet material at a location which severs
the sacrificial trace portion from the rest of the first electrode
trace, thereby leaving a pair of spaced moisture detection
electrode traces on a first backsheet for a first incontinence
detection pad and leaving the sacrificial trace portion behind on a
trailing, second backsheet for a second incontinence detection
pad.
[0053] In some embodiments, the method further includes laminating
an absorbent core to a top sheet to form a laminate and attaching
the laminate to the backsheet to sandwich the absorbent core
between the top sheet and the backsheet. The laminate may be
attached to the backsheet after testing the first electrode trace
by exciting the RFID tag with energy. Alternatively, the laminate
may be attached to the backsheet before testing the first electrode
trace by exciting the RFID tag with energy. In some embodiments,
attaching the RFID tag to the pair of terminal ends of the first
trace electrode of the series of electrode traces may include
removing the RFID tag from a roll of material carrying a series of
RFID tags and adhering the RFID tag to the backsheet material. In
some embodiments, laminating the absorbent core to the top sheet
may include using a lined, combed, slot coating process to deposit
glue in substantially parallel rows on the top sheet. For example,
the substantially parallel rows of glue deposited on the top sheet
may each be about 1 mm wide with a spacing between the parallel
rows of about 4 mm.
[0054] In some embodiments, the method may include storing an
identifier of the RFID tag of any incontinence pad for which the
first electrode trace does not form a completed short circuit
between the terminal ends of the first electrode trace as
determined by the testing, whereby the identifier may indicate a
rejected incontinence detection pad. The method may further include
exciting the RFID tag with energy a second time to read the
identifier of the rejected incontinence detection pad and scrapping
the rejected incontinence detection pad by removing it from a
manufacturing line.
[0055] In some embodiments, the method further include folding the
backsheet, the absorbent core, and the top sheet before exciting
the RFID tag with energy the second time. Cutting the backsheet
material at the location which severs the sacrificial trace portion
from the rest of the first electrode trace may occur after the
backsheet, absorbent core, and top sheet are folded and before
exciting the RFID tag with energy the second time.
[0056] In some embodiments, the method may include adding a mark to
any incontinence pad for which the first electrode trace does not
form a completed short circuit between the terminal ends of the
first electrode trace as determined by the testing, whereby the
mark indicates a rejected incontinence detection pad. For example,
the mark may become visible when exposed to ultraviolet (UV)
light.
[0057] According to still another aspect of the present disclosure,
an incontinence detection pad may include a substrate and a
conductive electrode on the substrate. The electrode may have a
pair of spaced and parallel elongated trace portions and a
plurality of angled trace portions that may bridge the space
between the pair of spaced and parallel elongated trace portions.
The angled trace portions each may be non-parallel with and
non-perpendicular to either of the pair of spaced and parallel
elongated trace portions.
[0058] In some embodiments, spaces between adjacent pairs of the
plurality of angled traces may be shaped as rhomboids. Optionally,
the spaced and parallel elongated trace portions and the angled
trace portions may have substantially equal widths. For example,
the widths of the elongated trace portions and the angled trace
portions each may be about 1 mm. A distance between outside
boundaries of the parallel elongated trace portions may be about 3
mm.
[0059] In some embodiments, an RFID tag may be attached to the
substrate and an electrical contact of the RFID tag electrically
may couple with a terminal end of the electrode. If desired, the
incontinence detection pad may further have a second electrode that
may have a second pair of spaced and parallel elongated trace
portions and a second plurality of angled trace portions that may
bridge the space between the second pair of spaced and parallel
elongated trace portions. The second angled trace portions each may
be non-parallel with and non-perpendicular to either of the second
pair of spaced and parallel elongated trace portions. The RFID tag
may have a second electrical contact that may electrically couple
with a second terminal end of the second conductive trace.
[0060] The substrate may comprise a sheet or film of polyethylene
and the conductive electrode may be printed on the sheet or film of
polyethylene. The substrate may further comprise a layer of
nonwoven material adhered to the sheet or film of polyethylene.
[0061] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure,
an incontinence detection pad may include a substrate, a first
electrode on the substrate and a second electrode on the substrate.
The first electrode may be spaced from the second electrode. A
first RFID chip may be coupled to respective terminal ends of the
first and second electrodes. The first RFID chip may sense an open
circuit between the first and second electrodes in the absence of
any fluid bridging a space between the first and second electrodes.
The incontinence pad may have a sentinel electrode on the substrate
and routed alongside the first and second conductive electrodes in
close proximity thereto. A second RFID chip coupled to first and
second ends of the sentinel electrode, the sentinel electrode may
form a continuous loop between the first and second ends. The
second RFID chip may sense that the sentinel electrode forms a
closed circuit. If the sentinel trace becomes broken, the second
RFID chip may sense an open circuit in the sentinel electrode and a
signal may be sent by the second RFID chip to indicate that the
incontinence pad should not be used because of the likelihood that
at least one of the first and second conductive electrodes is also
broken.
[0062] In some embodiments, the first and second RFID chips may be
located on the substrate in side-by-side relation. The first and
second RFID chips may be mounted on a common inlay which may permit
the first and second RFID chips to be mounted to the substrate
substantially simultaneously. The common piece of material may
comprise a piece of foam, for example. The inlay may include a
first pair of electrical contacts and a first antenna that may be
coupled electrically to the first RFID chip and a second pair of
electrical contacts and a second antenna that may be coupled
electrically to the second RFID chip.
[0063] In some embodiments, the first and second antennae may be
located on the inlay in a space defined between the first and
second pairs of electrical contacts. Alternatively, the first and
second pairs of electrical contacts may be located on the inlay in
a space defined between the first and second antennae. In another
variant, only one pair of the first and second pair of electrical
contacts may be located on the inlay in a space defined between the
first and second antennae. In some embodiments, the first pair of
electrical contacts may couple to the terminal ends of the first
and second electrodes and the second pair of electrical contacts
may couple to the first and second ends of the sentinel
electrode.
[0064] According to yet a further aspect of the pressing
disclosure, a dressing for attachment to a patient having a wound
is provided. The dressing may include a base sheet that may be made
of fluid impermeable material. The base sheet may have a first
surface and a second surface facing away from the first surface. A
first moisture detection sensor may be provided on the first
surface of the base sheet and a second moisture detection sensor
may be provided on the second surface of the base sheet. A first
fluid permeable cover sheet may cover the first moisture detection
sensor and may be attached to the first surface of the base sheet.
A second fluid permeable cover sheet may cover the second moisture
detection sensor and may be attached to the second surface of the
base sheet. A first layer of absorbent material may be sandwiched
between the first surface and the first cover sheet. A second layer
of absorbent material may be sandwiched between the second surface
and the second cover sheet. The base sheet may be attachable to a
patient such that the first surface faces toward the wound of the
patient. The first moisture detection sensor may transmit a first
signal if the first moisture detection sensor detects moisture from
the wound. The second moisture detection sensor may transmit a
second signal if the second moisture detection sensor detects
incontinence from the patient.
[0065] In some embodiments, the base sheet may comprise
polyethylene. If desired, the base sheet may be triangular in
shape. A periphery of the base sheet may have adhesive for
attachment of the dressing to the patient. Optionally, a peripheral
region of the base sheet may extend beyond boundaries of the first
and second cover sheets.
[0066] In some embodiments, the first moisture detection sensor may
include a pair of spaced apart first electrodes and a first RFID
tag that may be coupled to respective first ends of the first
electrodes. The second moisture detection sensor may include a pair
of spaced apart second electrodes and a second RFID tag that may be
coupled to respective first ends of the second electrodes. The
first RFID tag and the second RFID tag may have random delay times
in connection with transmission of data in response to being
excited with energy. At least one of the first and second RFID tags
may be configured to receive a wireless message that may command
the respective first or second RFID tag not to transmit any data in
response to a next excitation of energy.
[0067] In some embodiments, the first electrodes and the second
electrodes comprise conductive ink that may be printed on the
respective first and second surfaces of the base sheet. A first
peripheral region of the first cover sheet may extend beyond a
first outer periphery of the first layer of absorbent material and
a second peripheral region of the second cover sheet may extend
beyond a second outer periphery of the second layer of absorbent
material. The base sheet may be sized and configured to cover a
sacral region of the patient.
[0068] In some embodiments, the base sheet may include a first base
sheet layer and a second base sheet layer that may be removably
coupled to the first base sheet layer. The first base sheet layer
may carry the first moisture detection sensor, the first layer of
absorbent material, and the first cover sheet. The second base
sheet layer may carry the second moisture detection sensor, the
second layer of absorbent material, and the second cover sheet. The
first base sheet layer along with the first moisture detection
sensor, the first layer of absorbent material, and the first cover
sheet may be removable from the second base sheet layer to permit
replacement of the first base sheet layer along with the first
moisture detection sensor, the first layer of absorbent material,
and the first cover sheet after an incontinence event without the
need to replace the second base sheet layer carrying the second
moisture detection sensor, the second layer of absorbent material,
and the second cover sheet.
[0069] According to still a further aspect of the present
disclosure, a method may include providing reconfigurable devices
in a plurality of patient rooms, configuring a portable computer as
a WiFi hotspot, programming the portable computer to transmit a
service set identifier (SSID), transporting the portable computer
into communicative proximity of a first reconfigurable device so
that the reconfigurable device may be able to detect the SSID
included in a transmission from the portable computer, detecting
the SSID in the first reconfigurable device, ceasing
communications, in the first reconfigurable device, with a network
of a healthcare facility, using the portable computer to establish
a secure shell (SSH) connection with the first reconfigurable
device, and reconfiguring the reconfigurable device via the SSH
connection.
[0070] In some embodiments, the method may further include
checking, in the reconfigurable device, to determine if a signal
strength of the transmission from the portable computer having the
SSID meets a threshold signal strength prior to ceasing
communications with the network of the healthcare facility.
Alternatively or additionally, the method may further include
transporting the portable computer out of communicative proximity
of the first reconfigurable device and, in response, the first
reconfigurable device may automatically reconnect to the network of
the healthcare facility. For example, automatically reconnecting to
the network may occur only after a threshold amount of time has
passed after the portable computer is transported out of
communicative proximity of the first reconfigurable device. The
threshold amount of time may be about ten seconds in some
embodiments.
[0071] In some embodiments, the portable computer and the first
reconfigurable device may communicate via wireless transmissions.
The portable computer and the first reconfigurable device may
communicate according to the TCP/IP protocol. Alternatively or
additionally, the first reconfigurable device may communicate via
wireless transmissions with the network of the healthcare facility.
The plurality of reconfigurable devices may include hospital beds.
Alternatively or additionally, the plurality of reconfigurable
devices may include incontinence detection systems.
[0072] Additional features, which alone or in combination with any
other feature(s), such as those listed above and/or those listed in
the claims, may comprise patentable subject matter and will become
apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the
following detailed description of various embodiments exemplifying
the best mode of carrying out the embodiments as presently
perceived.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0073] The foregoing and other features of the various embodiments
of the methods and apparatuses described herein will become more
apparent from the following detailed description and the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0074] FIG. 1A is a schematic view of an embodiment of a sensor pad
for detecting moisture presence and moisture volume;
[0075] FIG. 1B is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of
a sensor pad for detecting moisture presence and moisture
volume;
[0076] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a wearable sensor pad for detecting
moisture presence above a minimum volume;
[0077] FIG. 3 is partly a perspective view and partly a
diagrammatic view of an embodiment of a sensor pad for detecting
moisture presence above a minimum volume showing two RFID sensors
each connected to a respective sensor trace grid;
[0078] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a moisture
detection and alert system having a pair of receiving antennae, an
RFID reader coupled to the receiving antennae, a controller coupled
to the RFID reader, and the controller being coupled to a nurse
call system, UI indicators and power;
[0079] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a moisture detection and alert
system showing an incontinence detection pad (in phantom) beneath a
patient, a receiving antenna pad (in phantom) beneath the
incontinence detection pad, and a controller (in phantom) coupled
to the receiving antenna pad and configured to communicate one or
more signals regarding incontinence detection to a hallway call
light alert, a remote computer for display on a computer monitor, a
status board, and a mobile device as indicated diagrammatically by
the arrow;
[0080] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a sensor event detection system
showing a device having a controller and a reader to read wireless
signals transmitted by a wireless sensor on a substrate;
[0081] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a sensor detection algorithm in
which incontinence is detected and a fluid volume is computed;
[0082] FIGS. 8A-D are exploded views of sensor pads having a
sensing grid layer including two RFID sensors and associated sensor
traces;
[0083] FIG. 9 is an electrical schematic showing an example of
analog circuitry configured to sense moisture in the incontinence
pads disclosed herein;
[0084] FIG. 10 is an electrical schematic showing an incontinence
sensor being provided by an uninterrupted, serpentine-shaped trace
forming a loop that is coupled to an RF suppressor and showing the
RF suppressor coupled to an n bit analog-to-digital converter
(ADC);
[0085] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a pair of antenna, a
reader, a visual indicator, and an output port of an incontinence
detection system retrofitted on a first embodiment of a hospital
bed with a first antenna of the pair being coupled to a head
section of a stepped deck of the hospital bed and a second antenna
of the pair being coupled to a thigh section of the stepped
deck;
[0086] FIG. 12 is a perspective view, similar to FIG. 11, showing
the pair of antenna, the reader, the visual indicator, and the
output port of the incontinence detection system retrofitted on a
second embodiment of a hospital bed with the first antenna being
coupled to a slideable panel of a head section of the hospital bed
and the second antenna coupled to a thigh section of the hospital
bed;
[0087] FIG. 13 is a perspective view, similar to FIGS. 11 and 12,
showing the pair of antenna, the reader, and the visual indicator
of the incontinence detection system installed on a third
embodiment of a hospital bed with the first antenna being coupled
to a head section of the hospital bed and the second antenna
coupled to a thigh section of the hospital bed and showing,
diagrammatically, the reader being coupled electrically to bed
control circuitry to send incontinence detection data via the bed
control circuitry to a nurse call output port of the hospital
bed;
[0088] FIG. 14 is a perspective view, similar to FIGS. 11-13,
showing the pair of antenna, the reader, the visual indicator, and
the output port of the incontinence detection system retrofitted on
a fourth embodiment of a hospital bed with the first antenna being
coupled to a head section of the hospital bed and the second
antenna coupled to a thigh section of the hospital bed and showing
cables from the antenna to the reader being routed through holes
formed in a seat section and the thigh section of the hospital
bed;
[0089] FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic view showing distances between the
first and second antennae of the incontinence detection system and
an RFID tag of an incontinence detection pad situated between a
patient and an upper surface of a mattress of a hospital bed and
showing the reader communicating with a network via wired and
wireless datalinks;
[0090] FIG. 16A is an exploded perspective view showing components
of one antenna of the pair of antennae of the incontinence
detection system of FIGS. 11-15;
[0091] FIG. 16B is a perspective view showing an inside of a cover
or housing of the antennae of FIG. 16A;
[0092] FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing an alternative
embodiment of an antenna having an antenna plate shaped has an
elongated hexagon with notches formed at the ends of the elongated
hexagon;
[0093] FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view showing components
of the antenna of FIG. 17;
[0094] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the antenna of FIGS. 17 and
18 showing a ground plate attached to a housing of the antenna;
[0095] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an antenna, similar to the
antenna of FIGS. 11-16, showing a rectangular ground plate and a
rectangular antenna plate supported above the ground plate in
parallel spaced relation therewith;
[0096] FIG. 21 is a side elevation view of the antenna of FIG. 20
showing a radiation pattern of the antenna;
[0097] FIG. 22 is a graph showing the reflection S-parameter of the
antenna of FIG. 20 with the y-axis units being decibels (dB) and
x-axis units being frequency in Gigahertz (GHz);
[0098] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an antenna, similar to the
antenna of FIGS. 17-19, showing a rectangular ground plate and an
antenna plate shaped as an elongated hexagon with notches supported
above the ground plate in parallel spaced relation therewith;
[0099] FIG. 24 is a top view of the antenna of FIG. 23;
[0100] FIG. 25 is a graph showing the reflection S-parameter of the
antenna of FIGS. 23 and 24 with the y-axis units being decibels
(dB) and x-axis units being frequency in Gigahertz (GHz);
[0101] FIG. 26 is a side elevation view of the antenna of FIG. 23
showing a radiation pattern of the antenna;
[0102] FIG. 27 is a top plan view of the radiation pattern of FIG.
26;
[0103] FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view of the reader of
FIGS. 11-15;
[0104] FIGS. 29A, 29B and 29C together form a block diagram of the
reader of FIG. 28;
[0105] FIG. 30 is an exploded perspective view of the visual
indicator of FIGS. 11-15;
[0106] FIG. 31 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of a
backsheet of an incontinence detection pad of the incontinence
detection system showing a pair of electrodes with respective ends
terminating within a rectangular tag footprint printed on the
backsheet, showing a first enlarged bubble without an RFID tag
present, and a second enlarged bubble with the RFID tag attached to
the backsheet within the rectangular tag footprint;
[0107] FIG. 32 is an exploded end elevation view of the back sheet
showing, from bottom to top, a polypropylene spunbond nonwoven
layer, a layer of hot melt adhesive, a high density polyethylene
(LDPE) layer, and conductive ink which forms the electrode traces
on the LDPE layer;
[0108] FIG. 33 is a top view showing an absorbent core adhered to a
top sheet such that perimetral portions of the top sheet extend
outwardly from a perimeter of the absorbent core;
[0109] FIG. 34A is a top view of the backsheet of FIG. 31 showing
strips at first and second ends of the backsheet where hot melt
adhesive is slot coated onto the backsheet prior to attachment of
the top sheet and absorbent core to the backsheet;
[0110] FIG. 34B is a top view of the backsheet of FIG. 31, similar
to FIG. 34A, showing strips at first and second sides of the
backsheet where hot melt adhesive is spray coated onto the
backsheet prior to attachment of the top sheet and absorbent core
to the backsheet;
[0111] FIG. 35 is an exploded end elevation view of the
incontinence detection pad showing from top to bottom a
polypropylene spunbond nonwoven top sheet, a layer of hot melt
adhesive, an absorbent core made of airlaid material, a foam spacer
of the RFID tag, foam adhesive, the RFID tag inlay, the spray
coated adhesive spaced on opposite sides of the RFID tag inlay, the
slot coated adhesive, and the backsheet;
[0112] FIG. 36 is a diagrammatic view of a manufacturing process in
which a roll of backsheet material has an electrode trace forming a
closed circuit between contacts of the RFID tag, a test for short
circuit being performed to read the RFID tag to confirm that no
breaks exist in the electrode trace, the material being cut at a
location that severs a sacrificial trace portion from the rest of
the trace, and the tag is read to identify any rejected pads having
a broken electrode trace;
[0113] FIG. 37 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of
an incontinence detection pad;
[0114] FIG. 38 is an exploded end view of the incontinence
detection pad of FIG. 37 showing, from top to bottom, a
polypropylene spunbond nonwoven top sheet, a layer of intermittent
hot melt adhesive, an absorbent core of airlaid material, hot melt
adhesive spray coated at the sides of the incontinence detection
pad, hot melt adhesive slot coated along the length of the
incontinence detection pad but with an uncovered strip along the
length of the pad, the RFID tag situated beneath the uncovered
strip of slot coated hot melt adhesive, and a backsheet;
[0115] FIG. 39 is a top view of the backsheet of FIG. 38 showing
the adhesive patterns and showing the electrode trace patterns of
the incontinence detection pad and showing an enlarged bubble with
the RFID tag on the backsheet and ends of the electrodes
terminating at electrical contacts of the RFID tag;
[0116] FIG. 40 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of an
RFID tag on a release liner prior to the RFID tag being attached to
the backsheet showing a substantially rectangular layer of
non-conductive adhesive, a pair of electrical contacts on an inlay
film near the bottom of the non-conductive adhesive, an aluminum
antenna near the top of the non-conductive adhesive;
[0117] FIG. 41 is an exploded side view of the RFID tag of FIG. 40
showing, top to bottom, an inlay film, an inlay antenna, a layer of
adhesive including non-conductive portions and conductive portions,
and a release liner;
[0118] FIG. 42 is a perspective view of a roll of release liner
carrying a plurality of RFID tags;
[0119] FIG. 43 is a top plan view of another embodiment of a
backsheet showing the backsheet having electrode traces formed by
pairs of spaced and parallel elongated trace portions and a
plurality of angled trace portions that bridge the space between
the pair of spaced and parallel elongated trace portions to form a
large number of conductive pathways between terminal ends of the
electrode traces;
[0120] FIG. 44 is a top plan view showing an enlarged part of the
electrode trace of FIG. 43;
[0121] FIG. 45 is a top plan view showing a pair of spaced
electrodes having interdigitated trace fingers;
[0122] FIG. 46 is a top plan view, similar to FIG. 45, showing a
sentinel electrode trace formed closely as a closed loop adjacent
the pair of spaced electrodes;
[0123] FIG. 47 is a first embodiment of a pair of RFID tags
arranged on a common substrate, having a first pair of electrical
contacts that couple to terminal ends of the pair of spaced apart
electrodes, and having a second pair of electrical contacts that
couple to terminal ends of the sentinel electrode trace;
[0124] FIG. 48 is a second embodiment of a pair of RFID tags
arranged on a common substrate, having a first pair of electrical
contacts that couple to terminal ends of the pair of spaced apart
electrodes, and having a second pair of electrical contacts that
couple to terminal ends of the sentinel electrode trace;
[0125] FIG. 49 is a third embodiment of a pair of RFID tags
arranged on a common substrate, having a first pair of electrical
contacts that couple to terminal ends of the pair of spaced apart
electrodes, and having a second pair of electrical contacts that
couple to terminal ends of the sentinel electrode trace;
[0126] FIG. 50 is an exploded perspective view showing components
of a dressing that has a central base sheet with electrode traces
on opposite surfaces for detecting wound moisture and for detecting
incontinence;
[0127] FIG. 51 is an exploded side view of the dressing of FIG. 50
showing, from top to bottom, a first fluid permeable cover sheet, a
first layer of absorbent material, the base sheet having RFID tags
on top and bottom surfaces thereof for electrical connection to
respective electrodes on the top and bottom surfaces, a second
layer of absorbent material, and a second fluid permeable cover
sheet;
[0128] FIG. 52 is a perspective view of the dressing of FIGS. 50
and 51 attached to a sacral region of a patient;
[0129] FIG. 53A is a diagrammatic view showing a number of hospital
beds located in respective rooms of a healthcare facility and
communicating via Wi-Fi with a hospital network and showing a
technician carrying a computer which serves as a configuration
hotspot;
[0130] FIG. 53B is a diagrammatic view, similar to FIG. 53A,
showing the technician entering room 105 and showing the hospital
bed in room 105 no longer communicating with the hospital network
but, instead, communicating with the computer carried by the
technician;
[0131] FIG. 54 is a diagrammatic view, similar to FIG. 53B, showing
the technician leaving room 105, such that the bed in room 105 once
again communicates with the hospital network via Wi-Fi, and
entering room 106, such that the bed in room 106 no longer
communicates with the hospital network but, instead, communicates
with the computer carried by the technician;
[0132] FIG. 55 is a flow chart showing an algorithm used by medical
devices, such as the illustrative hospital beds of FIGS. 53A-54, to
connect to and disconnect from the computer carried by the
technician;
[0133] FIG. 56A is a top plan view of a substrate carrying a number
of antennae assemblies for attachment to RFID tags used in
incontinence detection pads;
[0134] FIG. 56B is a top plan view of one of the antenna assemblies
of FIG. 56A;
[0135] FIG. 56C is a top plan view of the antenna assembly of FIG.
56B showing a first large antenna patch in solid and the rest of
the antenna assembly dotted out;
[0136] FIG. 56D is a top plan view of the antenna assembly of FIG.
56B showing a second large antenna patch in solid and the rest of
the antenna assembly dotted out;
[0137] FIG. 56E is a top plan view of the antenna assembly of FIG.
56B showing the first and second large antennae patches in solid
and the rest of the antenna assembly dotted out;
[0138] FIG. 56F is a top plan view of the antenna assembly of FIG.
56B showing an upper undulated antenna connection portion in solid
and the rest of the antenna assembly dotted out;
[0139] FIG. 56G is a top plan view of the antenna assembly of FIG.
56B showing a lower undulated antenna to electrical contact pad
connection portion in solid and the rest of the antenna assembly
dotted out;
[0140] FIG. 56H is a top plan view of the antenna assembly of FIG.
56B showing a first portion of the lower undulated antenna to
electrical contact pad connection in solid and the rest of the
antenna assembly dotted out;
[0141] FIG. 56I is a top plan view of the antenna assembly of FIG.
56B showing a second portion of the lower undulated antenna to
electrical contact pad connection in solid and the rest of the
antenna assembly dotted out;
[0142] FIG. 57 is a top plan view of the antenna of FIG. 56B
installed on an RFID tag carried on a release liner;
[0143] FIG. 58 is an exploded side view of the RFID tag of FIG. 57
showing, from top to bottom, a foam tag cover, a layer of hot melt
adhesive, and the RFID tag inlay;
[0144] FIG. 59A is a top plan view of an incontinence detection pad
showing a substantially rectangular outline of an absorbent core
occupying a central region of the incontinence detection pad, a
series of head indicia located between a first perimeter edge of
the pad and the outline of the absorbent core, and showing a series
of foot indicia located between a second perimeter edge of the pad
and the outline of the absorbent core;
[0145] FIG. 59B is a top plan view of the incontinence detection
pad, similar to FIG. 59A, showing the substantially rectangular
outline of the absorbent core dotted out;
[0146] FIG. 59C is a top plan view of the incontinence detection
pad, similar to FIG. 59A, showing an outer perimeter of the
incontinence detection pad doted out;
[0147] FIG. 59D is a top plan view of the incontinence detection
pad, similar to FIG. 59A, showing the series of foot indicia dotted
out;
[0148] FIG. 59E is a top plan view of the incontinence detection
pad, similar to FIG. 59A, showing the series of head indicia dotted
out;
[0149] FIG. 59F is a top plan view of the incontinence detection
pad, similar to FIG. 59A, showing the substantially rectangular
outline of the absorbent core dotted out and showing the series of
foot indicia dotted out;
[0150] FIG. 59G is a top plan view of the incontinence detection
pad, similar to FIG. 59A, showing the substantially rectangular
outline of the absorbent core dotted out and showing the series of
head indicia dotted out;
[0151] FIG. 60A is a top plan view of an incontinence detection
pad, similar to FIG. 59A, but showing the head indicia and foot
indicia facing to the left instead of to the right;
[0152] FIG. 60B is a top plan view of the incontinence detection
pad, similar to FIG. 60A, showing the substantially rectangular
outline of the absorbent core dotted out;
[0153] FIG. 60C is a top plan view of the incontinence detection
pad, similar to FIG. 60A, showing an outer perimeter of the
incontinence detection pad doted out;
[0154] FIG. 60D is a top plan view of the incontinence detection
pad, similar to FIG. 60A, showing the series of foot indicia dotted
out;
[0155] FIG. 60E is a top plan view of the incontinence detection
pad, similar to FIG. 60A, showing the series of head indicia dotted
out;
[0156] FIG. 60F is a top plan view of the incontinence detection
pad, similar to FIG. 60A, showing the substantially rectangular
outline of the absorbent core dotted out and showing the series of
foot indicia dotted out;
[0157] FIG. 60G is a top plan view of the incontinence detection
pad, similar to FIG. 60A, showing the substantially rectangular
outline of the absorbent core dotted out and showing the series of
head indicia dotted out;
[0158] FIG. 61A is a top plan view of the incontinence detection
pad, similar to FIG. 59A, but additionally showing the outline of
the electrode traces, the RFID tag, the sacrificial trace and end
adhesive strips;
[0159] FIG. 61B is a top plan view of the incontinence detection
pad, similar to FIG. 61A, showing the RFID tag dotted out;
[0160] FIG. 61C is a top plan view of the incontinence detection
pad, similar to FIG. 61A, showing the sacrificial trace dotted
out;
[0161] FIG. 61D is a top plan view of the incontinence detection
pad, similar to FIG. 61A, showing the electrode traces in solid and
everything else dotted out;
[0162] FIG. 61E is a top plan view of the incontinence detection
pad, similar to FIG. 61A, showing the RFID tag, the sacrificial
trace, the head and foot indicia, and portions of the electrode
traces dotted out;
[0163] FIG. 62A is a top plan view of the incontinence detection
pad, similar to FIG. 61A, but showing the head indicia and foot
indicia facing to the left instead of to the right;
[0164] FIG. 62B is a top plan view of the incontinence detection
pad, similar to FIG. 62A, showing the RFID tag dotted out;
[0165] FIG. 62C is a top plan view of the incontinence detection
pad, similar to FIG. 62A, showing the sacrificial trace dotted
out;
[0166] FIG. 62D is a top plan view of the incontinence detection
pad, similar to FIG. 62A, showing the electrode traces in solid and
everything else dotted out;
[0167] FIG. 63A is a front view of a first style of a water droplet
icon;
[0168] FIG. 63B is a front view of the first style of water droplet
icon but showing a shading curve inside the water droplet on the
right instead of the left;
[0169] FIG. 63C is a front view of the first style of water droplet
icon of FIG. 63A showing curved lines outside the water droplet to
the left and to the right dotted out;
[0170] FIG. 63D is a front view of the first style of water droplet
icon of FIG. 63B showing curved lines outside the water droplet to
the left and to the right dotted out;
[0171] FIG. 64A is a front view of a second style of a water
droplet icon;
[0172] FIG. 64B is a front view of the second style of water
droplet icon but showing a shading curve inside the water droplet
on the right instead of the left;
[0173] FIG. 64C is a front view of the second style of water
droplet icon of FIG. 64A showing curved lines outside the water
droplet to the left and to the right dotted out;
[0174] FIG. 64D is a front view of the second style of water
droplet icon of FIG. 64B showing curved lines outside the water
droplet to the left and to the right dotted out;
[0175] FIG. 65A is a front view of a first style of one of the head
indicia of FIGS. 59A and 61A;
[0176] FIG. 65B is a front view, similar to FIG. 65A, but showing
the first style of the head indicia facing left instead of
right;
[0177] FIG. 66A is a front view of a second style of one of the
head indicia of FIGS. 59A and 61A;
[0178] FIG. 66B is a front view, similar to FIG. 66A, but showing
the second style of the head indicia facing left instead of
right;
[0179] FIG. 67A is a front view of a first style of one of the foot
indicia of FIGS. 59A and 61A;
[0180] FIG. 67B is a front view, similar to FIG. 67A, but showing
the first style of the foot indicia facing left instead of
right;
[0181] FIG. 67C is a front view, similar to FIG. 67A, but showing
an ankle curve dotted out;
[0182] FIG. 67D is a front view, similar to FIG. 67B, but showing
an ankle curve dotted out;
[0183] FIG. 68A is a front view of a second style of one of the
foot indicia of FIGS. 59A and 61A;
[0184] FIG. 68B is a front view, similar to FIG. 68A, but showing
the second style of the foot indicia facing left instead of
right;
[0185] FIG. 68C is a front view, similar to FIG. 68A, but showing
an ankle curve dotted out;
[0186] FIG. 68D is a front view, similar to FIG. 68B, but showing
an ankle curve dotted out;
[0187] FIG. 69A is a digital photo of a top plan view of an
incontinence detection pad;
[0188] FIG. 69B is a digital photo of a portion of the incontinence
detection pad of FIG. 69A showing head indicia;
[0189] FIG. 69C is a digital photo of a portion of the incontinence
detection pad of FIG. 69A showing a sacrificial trace to the right
in the photo and a series of foot indicia at a bottom of the
photo;
[0190] FIG. 69D is a digital photo of a portion of the incontinence
detection pad of FIG. 69A showing a pair of foot inidicia;
[0191] FIG. 69E is a digital photo of a portion of the incontinence
detection pad of FIG. 69A showing a close up of a ridge pattern of
an upper surface of the incontinence detection pad;
[0192] FIG. 69F is a digital photo of a bottom plan view of the
incontinence detection pad of FIG. 69A;
[0193] FIG. 69G is a digital photo of a portion of the incontinence
detection pad of FIG. 69F showing an RFID tag having an antenna
pattern visible through a backsheet of the incontinence detection
pad;
[0194] FIG. 69H is a digital photo of a portion of the incontinence
detection pad of FIG. 69F showing a junction between substantially
perpendicular line segments of an electrode trace of the
incontinence detection pad;
[0195] FIG. 69I is a digital photo showing an isometric view of the
upper surface of the incontinence pad of FIG. 69A;
[0196] FIG. 69J is a digital photo showing an isometric view of the
bottom surface of the incontinence pad of FIG. 69F;
[0197] FIG. 69K is a digital photo showing a side elevation view of
the incontinence detection pad of FIG. 69A;
[0198] FIG. 69L is a digital photo showing an end elevation view of
the incontinence detection pad of FIG. 69A; and
[0199] FIG. 70 is a top plan view of an incontinence detection pad
having the series of head indicia and the series of foot indicia
extending across a portion of the pad containing an absorbent
core.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0200] The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for
detecting incontinence or other moisture caused events associated
with a person being monitored. Thus, it should be appreciated that
the systems described herein are able to detect biofluids such as
blood, urine, fecal matter, interstitial fluid, saline, or any
other fluid having a large concentration of ions that easily
conduct electricity. The term "incontinence" as used herein is
intended to cover all of these biofluids. The present disclosure
further describes systems and methods for reporting detected
incontinence events to hospital caregivers, a nurse call system, or
an EMR (electronic medical record) system to allow patients to be
quickly removed from the soiled environment.
[0201] FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2 schematically show three embodiments of a
sensor system 6400, 6450, 6500 that detects a volume of
incontinence or other moisture. System 6400 includes an occupant
support 6402 that is embodied as, for example, a hospital bed, a
residential bed, a chair, a wheelchair, a mattress, a stretcher, a
patient transport device, or any other type of person support
apparatus. A substrate, or incontinence pad 6404, rests on the
occupant support 6402, such as a mattress, in an area or zone in
which it is desired to conduct surveillance for unwanted moisture
or other moisture related abnormalities. In other embodiments, the
pad 6404 is integrated into the support 6402, such as a mattress.
In still other embodiments, the pad 6404 is integrated within an
undergarment or other article of clothing or the pad 6404 itself is
a diaper or disposable undergarment.
[0202] The illustrative system 6400 for detecting a volume of
moisture on the occupant support 6402 includes a plurality of
sensor traces 6408. The plurality of sensor traces 6408 in the
illustrative example includes sensing traces 0-8. It is
contemplated that there are more or fewer sensor traces in other
embodiments. The sensor traces are placed at predetermined
distances 6412 from one another and portions or segments of the
traces lie in parallel. It should be understood, however, that
while the segments (e.g., 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) are shown
in FIG. 1 as linear segments, any suitable spatial arrangement of
the sensing traces 6408 that maintains the desired spacing 6412
between the sensing traces 6408 work sufficiently according to this
disclosure.
[0203] In the illustrative example, sensor traces 0-7 are generally
Z-shaped, each with a first end segment coupled to an RFID tag
6410, a second end segment spaced from the first segment and
generally parallel therewith, and a middle segment interconnecting
the end segments and oriented in substantially perpendicular
relation with the end segments. The first segments of traces 0-7
are of decreasing length from trace 0 (i.e., the longest first
segment) to trace 7 (i.e., the shortest first segment). The second
segments of traces 0-7 are of increasing length from trace 0 (i.e.,
the shortest second segment) to trace 7 (i.e., the longest second
segment). The middle segment of each trace 0-7 is approximately the
same length as each of the other middle segments of each of the
other traces 0-7. Trace 8 is generally L-shaped in the illustrative
example having a first segment coupled to the RFID circuit in
substantially parallel relation with the middle segments of traces
0-7 and a second segment that is substantially perpendicular to the
first segment of trace 8 and substantially parallel with the first
and second end segments of traces 0-7. The length of the first
segment of trace 8 is approximately equal to the lengths of the
middle segments of traces 0-7.
[0204] In some embodiments, the distance 6412 between each of the
adjacent traces 0-8 is the same for each segment of each trace 0-8.
In other embodiments, the distance 6412 between each of the sensor
traces 0-8 is different. It is also contemplated by this disclosure
that, in some embodiments, the distance 6412 between middle
segments of traces 0-7 and between the middle segment of trace 7
and the first segment of trace 8 is different than the distance
6412 between respective first end segments of traces 0-7,
respective second end segments of traces 0-7, and the second
segment of trace 8 and the second end segment of trace 7 of other
traces. The distance 6412 between each sensor trace is defined by
one or more moisture management criteria, for example.
[0205] The moisture management criterion includes a
moisture-related property of the substrate pad 6404 in some
instances. For example, a moisture management criterion may be a
moisture-related property of the moisture absorbent material of the
incontinence pad (such as, for example, a wicking or absorption
property).
[0206] In an illustrative example, the distance 6412 is in the
range of about 4 inches, based on a desired moisture sensitivity in
the range of about 50 milliliters (e.g., 6412 is the distance that
50 ml of liquid travels in the specified type of material forming
the substrate 6404 or a layer of an incontinence pad in which the
substrate 6404 is integrated). Thus, a notification is issued by a
notification device as described elsewhere herein, when the sensor
traces 6-7 are exposed to moisture indicating an amount of moisture
in the range of about 50 milliliters (i.e., enough moisture to
bridge two adjacent traces 6408). In another illustrative example,
if moisture is exposed to sensing traces 6, 7, 8, a signal is
generated indicating an amount of moisture in the range of 100
milliliters (i.e., enough moisture to bridge three adjacent traces
6408). Likewise, if sensing traces 5, 6, 7, 8 are exposed to
moisture, a signal is generated indicating an amount of moisture in
the range of 150 milliliters (i.e., enough moisture to bridge four
adjacent traces). Thus, system 6400 is a high resolution
incontinence detection system in that it is able to determine how
much biofluid is being sensed by traces 6408. The sensor traces
6408 are connected to a passive RFID tag 6410 in the illustrative
example. RFID tag 6410 is excited by a controller 6406 which
transmits an electromagnetic signal and receives the response from
the RFID tag 6410.
[0207] Referring now to FIG. 1B, sensor system 6450 includes an
incontinence detection pad 6452 having an RFID tag 6454 and a
series of electrode traces 6456 extending from RFID tag 6454. In
the illustrative example, traces 6456 are labeled as traces 0-4.
The traces 6456 labeled 0, 1, 3 and 4 are generally Z-shaped
whereas the trace 6456 labeled 2 is formed as a generally straight
line. Traces 6456 labeled 0 and 1 are spaced apart by a first
distance 6458 and so too are the traces 6456 labeled 3 and 4. A
distance 6460 between the trace 6456 labeled 2 and respective lower
straight portions of traces 6456 labeled 1 and 3 is about four
times that of distance 6458. Thus, a larger amount of moisture or
fluid is needed in the central region of pad 6452 to electrically
interconnect or short out the trace 6456 labeled 2 with the trace
6456 labeled 1 or the trace 6456 labeled 3 than is need to
electrically interconnect or short out the trace 6456 labeled 0
with the trace 6456 labeled 1 or the trace 6456 labeled 3 with the
trace 6456 labeled 4. A distance 6462 between the trace 6456
labeled 2 and respective upper straight portions of traces 6456
labeled 1 and 3 is about 1.5 times that of distance 6458.
[0208] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure,
RFID tags 6410, 6454 or the controllers, such as controller 6406,
that read these tags 6410, 6454, are programmable such that subsets
of traces 0-8 of FIG. 1A and subsets of traces 6456 labeled 0-4 of
FIG. 1B are considered active traces for purposes of detecting
moisture or fluid and others of the traces are ignored. As such, a
fluid volume threshold is variable among a plurality of fluid
volume thresholds so that the RFID tag 6410, 6454 or associated
controller 6406, such as that of a reader, generates an alarm if
the fluid volume exceeds a selected fluid volume threshold and so
that the controller does not generate the alarm if the fluid volume
is below the selected fluid volume threshold.
[0209] The plurality of electrically conductive traces of systems
6400, 6450 are, therefore, laid out in a grid pattern to define a
plurality of sensing blocks (e.g., the spaces between the traces).
The fluid volume being sensed by systems 6400, 6450 is estimated by
the RFID tag 6410, 6454 and/or the associated controller 6406 based
on how many sensing blocks of the plurality of sensing blocks have
been exposed to fluid. In some embodiments, the selected fluid
volume threshold is selected automatically by the controller 6406
based on information (e.g., a patient's Braden score) received from
a remote computer relating to a condition of a patient. For
example, the selected fluid volume threshold is smaller if the
condition of the patient indicates that the patient is at risk of
developing pressure ulcers than if the condition of the patient
indicates that the patient is not at risk of developing pressure
ulcers.
[0210] In some embodiments of systems 6400, 6450, as well as in
other embodiments disclose herein, first and second fluid volume
thresholds are selectable from among more than two fluid volume
thresholds. The system controller 6406, such as a controller of a
reader, generates a first alarm if the first fluid volume threshold
is sensed by the respective incontinence detection pad, such as pad
6404 or pad 6452, and the controller 6406 generates a second alarm
if the second fluid volume threshold is sensed. The first alarm is
different than the second alarm in some embodiments. For example,
the first alarm may be a visual alarm and the second alarm may be
an audible alarm. As another example, the first alarm may be an
audible alarm at a first volume of loudness and the second alarm
may be an audible alarm at a second volume of loudness that is
different than the first volume. Alternatively of additionally, at
least one of the first alarm and the second alarm may include a
transmission to a nurse call system. Further alternatively or
additionally, the first alarm may include a first textual message
presented on a display and the second alarm may include a second
textual message presented on the display. Thus, the first alarm may
include a first visual alarm and the second alarm may include a
second visual alarm.
[0211] Referring now to FIG. 2, system 6500 is incorporated into a
wearable substrate such as a diaper or other wearable pad 6514. In
this embodiment, connector traces 6504A, 6504B extend from passive
RFID tag 6502 and extend longitudinally in substantially parallel
relation along the outer edges of a moisture zone 6516 of the
diaper or wearable pad 6514. Shielding material or a shield 6510
coat or otherwise overlie each of the connector traces 6504A, 6504B
to prevent the connector traces from being exposed to moisture.
Alternatively or additionally, connector traces 6504A, 6504B lie
outside moisture zone 6516 in some embodiments so as to inhibit any
chance for exposure to moisture that is present within zone 6516.
In some embodiments therefore, shields 6510 are not needed for
covering traces 6504A, 65-4B and are omitted.
[0212] First and second sets of sensor traces 6506, 6508 extend
from respective connector traces 6504A, 6504B in a direction
substantially perpendicular to traces 6504A, 6504B. Traces 6506,
6508 extend across the moisture zone 6516 but terminate prior to
reaching the opposite trace 6504A, 6504B. Thus, in the illustrative
example, traces 6506 each extend from trace 6504B and terminal ends
of traces 6506 are spaced from trace 6504A. Similarly, traces 6508
each extend from trace 6504A and terminal ends of traces 6508 are
spaced from trace 6504B. A distance 6518 (shown in FIG. 2 between
the terminal end of one of traces 6506 and trace 6504A) is provided
between each terminal end of traces 6506, 6508 and the trace 6504A,
6504B spaced therefrom.
[0213] The first 6506 and second traces 6508 are arranged in an
alternating pattern along the length of the diaper 6514. Thus,
trace 6504 and its accompany traces 6508 form a first comb-like
pattern and trace 6506 and its accompanying traces 6506 form a
second comb-like pattern. The comb-like patterns are arranged to
that traces 6506 are interdigitated with traces 6508. The spacing
distance 6518 is smaller than a spacing 6512 between adjacent
traces 6506, 6508. Because of the shielding 6510 covering traces
6504A, 6504B, moisture that would otherwise make an electrical
connection between terminal ends of traces 6506, 6508 and the
traces 6504A, 6504B spaced therefrom by distance 6518, is unable to
do so. Instead, an electrical connection is made between only when
sufficient moisture is present to expose a first and second sensor
trace 6506, 6508 to moisture across distance 6512. For example, in
some embodiments contemplated herein, distance 6512 between first
and second sensor traces 6506, 6508 requires that 150 milliliters
(ml) of moisture be present within moisture zone 6516 before an
electrical connection is made between adjacent traces 6506, 6508.
Thus, the distance 6512 is selected in the illustrative example so
that a signal from RFID tag 6502 is generated in response to
moisture contacting one first sensing trace 6506 and one second
sensing trace 6508 which occurs when about 150 milliliters (ml) of
moisture is present in the moisture zone 6516.
[0214] By shielding connecting traces 6504A, 6504B with moisture
resistant layers (not shown) that comprise shields 6510,
oversensitivity may be avoided such that a signal may only be
generated when a prescribed fluid volume is present in the moisture
zone 6516. This prevents, for example, incontinence signals being
sent by RFID tag 6502 in response to perspiration or other moisture
that bridges across any of spaces 6518. Alternatively, connecting
traces 6504A, 6504B are positioned outside of moisture zone 6516 as
mentioned above to achieve a similar result. The first sensing
traces 6506 and second sensing traces 6508 are spaced apart by a
predetermined distance 6512 that is based on a desired moisture
sensitivity which also takes into account the wicking and
absorbency properties of the diaper or other wearable pad 6514
within zone 6516. According to the present disclosure, shielded
connector traces, similar to traces 6504A, 6504B, and unshielded
sensor traces, similar to traces 6506, 6508, also may be used in
non-wearable pad embodiments, such each of the other pad
embodiments disclosed herein.
[0215] FIG. 3 discloses another embodiment of an RFID implemented
moisture detection sensor system 300 employing a pair of sensors
310, 312 on a substrate such as a patient support or pad 314. The
discussion below of sensor 310 is equally applicable to sensor 312.
That is sensor 310 and sensor 312 are substantially the same
although, the illustrative example, sensor 312 is a mirror image of
sensor 310. Sensor 310 includes first and second trace grids 316,
318 that are spaced apart and form a somewhat serpentine pattern on
the bed. Trace 318 is generally U-shaped and trace 316 is generally
M-shaped or W-shaped depending upon the direction at which trace
316 is viewed. The U-shaped pattern of trace 318 is interdigitated
with the M-shaped pattern of trace 316. Thus, traces 316, 318 form
a comb-like pattern. Moisture detection takes place at the sensor
310 by way of a tuning circuit 320 connected to an RFID tag 322.
When moisture bridges any of the spaces between trace 316 and trace
318, tuning circuitry 320 outputs a signal to RFID tag 322 which,
in turn, emits a wireless signal indicating that moisture is
present
[0216] According to this disclosure, tuning circuit 320 on sensor
310 may determine moisture presence by analog, digital or hybrid
mechanisms. In one method of analog operation, as shown in FIG. 9,
an ultralow power ASIC 900 includes a current source 910 to the
open (dry) circuit of sensor traces 316, 318 of respective sensors
310, 312. As suggested in FIG. 9, the incontinence may have 1 to n
zones for incontinence detection. Thus, pads having only one zone
or two zones or more than two zones are contemplated by this
disclosure. The current source 910 may be implemented using two
transistors and one or more resistors, for example, as is known in
the art. The current source 910 attempts to force current through
the traces 316, 318 and a resulting voltage is either sufficient or
insufficient to allow a transistor 912 to be turned on. The
resulting digital bit at the output of the transistor 912 indicates
whether or not the detection zone contains a sufficient amount of
conductive moisture to bridge between traces 316, 318.
[0217] The current source 910 may be configured to selectively test
the various trace pairs 316, 318 and/or multiple sources current
910 may be connected to multiple trace pairs 316, 318 in order to
determine the reach of the conductive moisture. FIG. 9 represents
just one example of an incontinence detection circuit that is
implemented with very few transistors and very little current
(which is in short supply in a passive RFID tag). Many other analog
circuit examples are possible, all following this same "ohmmeter"
(relative resistance) detection scheme. The basic idea is to force
a test current of very small magnitude into the pad (large
resistance in pristine state) and monitor the resulting voltage to
detect the presence of a biofluid.
[0218] In another approach, a completely digital implementation is
used to determine the resistance, and therefore the amount of
biofluid spilled, using a resistive voltage divider and a MOSFET
coupled at the gate of a transistor to the center of a voltage
divider. The output of the MOSFET indicates WET or DRY. The MOSFET
may further be used as an active load and negate the need for the
external voltage divider resistor to couple to adjacent conductive
traces. An alternative digital implementation may include a
standard cell analog to digital converter relying on the fluid
signal not changing quickly or often. A low resolution ADC (6 bit
or less) could be implemented as a resistive divider ladder on the
ASIC die. Rudimentary comparators may be used to determine the
value of the digital bit outputs. Still further, the sensor may be
implemented as a switch.
[0219] In still another approach a hybrid circuit implementation,
such as a coulomb meter, is used. The coulomb meter is used to
estimate resistance by integrating the charge using a capacitor or
other charge storage element that passes through the conductive
strips embedded in the incontinence device (e.g., pad, brief,
diaper, etc.) in a given time interval, and regularly resetting the
charge on the capacitor and determining whether the voltage on the
capacitor meets or exceeds a specific threshold. The voltage on the
capacitor relates to the charge as Q=CV, where Q is in Coulombs, V
is in Volts and C is in Farads.
[0220] Further according to this disclosure, it is desirable to
know when an incontinence detection conductor (e.g., trace 316 or
trace 318) has been broken, usually through mechanical forces. This
broken wire or trace detection may be accomplished by measuring the
voltage at the end of all of the incontinence traces on the device
and ensuring they are at ground potential. These traces may be
connected to inputs on the ASIC and the voltage determined using
any of the methods outlined above (analog comparator, etc). Any
trace that measures above ground potential can be assumed to be
broken. A broken trace signal or data can be communicated to the
ASIC and over the RF channel of the RFID chip.
[0221] According to some embodiments contemplated herein, RFID chip
322 operates at about 915 MegaHertz (MHz) and has a tamper evident,
binary input into the RFID chip 322 which is normally (e.g., in
other applications) used to detect if a package has been opened,
but in the incontinence detection systems contemplated herein, this
tamper detection input is used instead to report the "switch
closure" caused by an incontinence event. In some embodiments,
including those disclosed herein, the RFID chips used in the
incontinence pads are passive chips that communicate with an
associated reader by using the electromagnetic field generated by
the reader to power the chip and communicate via so-called
"backscatter" techniques. In other embodiments, semi-passive or
active RFID chips are used.
[0222] Upon moisture detection, the tamper evident input of the
RFID chip has an electrical signal applied thereto which sets a
status bit in the RFID chip. When the RFID chip is interrogated by
the associated reader, the RFID chip sends stored data including
the status bit state (e.g., logic 1 or logic 0). The reader or
other processing circuitry determines whether the incontinence pad
is wet or dry by evaluating the tamper evident status bit that has
been received by the reader. Discrete circuit components are used
to match the impedance of the sensor traces and the RFID chip in
some embodiments. Other embodiments may use RFID chips operating at
high frequency (HF) (13.56 MHz), ultra high frequency (UHF)(800
MHz-1 Giga Hertz (GHz)) or microwave (2.4 GHz-5 GHz).
[0223] Referring now to FIG. 10, an incontinence sensor 1000
includes an uninterrupted, serpentine-shaped trace forming a loop
that terminates at leads 1001, 1003 that, in turn, couple to a
radio frequency (RF) suppressor 1002. RF suppressor 1002 is coupled
to an n bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 1004 by conductors
1006, 1008. In some embodiments, ADC 1004 is included in an
application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) such as ASIC 900
mentioned above. ADC 1004 is a low power ASIC in some
embodiments.
[0224] Sensor 1000 is illustratively a detection grid that is
fashioned from a conductive ink which has several kilo Ohms
(k.OMEGA.)/meter (m) resistance. Because sensor 1000 forms a
complete loop, it is possible to detect a broken detection grid
while still being able to sense conductive fluids introduced into
the associated incontinence pad of which sensor 1000 is a part.
When sensor 1000 is broken, an open circuit results and the
resistance is effectively infinite. When moisture or liquid is
present on sensor 1000, the wet part of the sensor 1000 is
essentially a short circuit having zero resistance and the dry
portion of sensor 100 is the only portion that contributes to the
overall resistance of the sensor 1000. Thus, the sensor 1000 or
detection grid divides into two parts, the wet part and the dry
part. As such, the resistance of the loop of sensor 1000 changes
depending upon an amount and location of moisture on the loop. The
ADC 1004 has an output that correlates to the resistance of the
loop of sensor 1000.
[0225] The RF suppressor 1002 located between sensor 1000 and ADC
1004 is a feature that is either printed on the associated
incontinence pad or is on a circuit inlay. The RF suppressor 1002
excludes the RF voltage at the tamper evident input (see above
discussion) of the associated RFID tag or chip. There is a limit
for RF voltage that most RFID tags at their input terminals, such
as the tamper evident input, which could be exceeded with the
sensor 1000 detection grid and level of electromagnetic fields that
may be generated by the associated antenna/reader combination with
the expected power output on the order of 1 Watt (W) and antenna
gain. The RF suppressor can take a number of forms such as a common
mode choke formed by having serpentine lines right at the input
terminals for the RFID inlay or, alternatively, by having tuned
stubs to create an RF short and reflect the incident RF energy back
into the sensor 1000 detection grid while still providing DC
connectivity for conductive liquid detection.
[0226] Referring now to FIG. 4, a communications system 400 is
configured to communicate with the sensor system 300. An RFID
reader 414 employs a pair of antennas 410, 412 that are signaled by
reader 414 to poll sensors 310, 312 to report that switch closure
of the sensors, i.e. an incontinence event, has occurred. Energy
from antennas 410, 412 is used by the passive RFID tags 322 to
power them to return incontinence detection information to antennas
410, 412. The detected event is relayed to a controller 416 which
is configured with software to communicate the incontinence
detection information to an appropriate caregiver or system as
described in further detail below with respect to FIG. 5. In the
illustrative FIG. 4 example, the controller 416 is connected with a
nurse call system 420, a power source 422, and a wireless
communications device, such as a Wi-Fi antenna 418, in order to
communicate the sensed incontinence event with other associated
systems. Controller 416 is also coupled to user interface (UI)
indicators, such as lights or a graphical display on a patient bed
or on a room wall or other piece of nearby equipment, to indicate
locally whether the incontinence pad 300 is wet or dry.
[0227] In some embodiments, the sensor system or incontinence pad
300 and communication system 400 are implemented as part of a
remote alert system 500 as shown in FIG. 5. In particular, the
incontinence pad 300 is placed between a patient and an underlying
mattress 502 of a patient bed 520 beneath the patient's pelvic
area. In some embodiments, pad 300 is integrated into mattress 502
to form a part thereof, but is removable for replacement with a
clean pad after an incontinence event occurs. The antenna 410, 412
of communications system 400 are included in a substrate 506
mounted to a frame 522 of bed 520. A housing 508 contains RFID
reader 414 and controller 416 therein in the illustrative example.
In other embodiments, separate housings contain these elements.
Housing 508 is also coupled to frame 522 of bed 520 in the
illustrative example. Thus, the antennas 410, 412 of substrate 506
are in communication with reader 414 and with controller 416
located in housing 508 and these components operate in the manner
described above in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0228] Upon detection of a moisture event the controller 416 in
housing 508 communicates with circuitry of bed 520 to activate one
or more in-room alerts such as indicators or illuminating devices
510 that are located on bed 520 and that are easily viewed by a
caregiver. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 416
communicates the event to devices for remote alerting such as a
status board 512 or other visual display of a hospital information
system, a hallway call light 514 such as a light in a dome light or
alert light assembly, a computer monitor 516 of a nurse call system
and/or an electronic medical records (EMR) system, or even a
caregiver's mobile device 518.
[0229] The controller 416 communicates the moisture event via Wi-Fi
antenna 418 or other known wireless communication equipment and
protocols in some embodiments. Alternatively or additionally,
controller 416 communicates the moisture event via a wired
connection, such as a 37-pin nurse call cable. It will be
appreciated that a healthcare facilities' network infrastructure,
represented diagrammatically by arrow 524 in FIG. 5, serves as an
intermediary between system 500 and the one or more remote alerting
devices 512, 514, 516, 518 with which system 500 communicates.
Thus, wireless access points, gateways, routers, cabling,
connection ports, jacks, and the like are the type of equipment
represented by arrow 524 in FIG. 5.
[0230] In some embodiments, information indicating that the pad is
dry or that no moisture event has occurred is communicated by
controller 416 to one or more remote computer devices, such as an
EMR computer, for storage in a patient's EMR. Such information is
communicated at pre-set intervals, such as every hour or every half
hour or more or less frequently, for example. The interval for
communicating such information is programmable by caregivers in
some embodiments. Further alternatively or additionally, a
caregiver selects a user input such as an icon on a graphical
display of a patient bed or at remote computer to command the
reader to poll the incontinence pad to obtain information regarding
the wet/dry status of the pad. By permitting the caregiver to
determine when the incontinence pad status information is received,
alert fatigue is avoided because the caregiver receives the
information when the caregiver is able to act on it.
[0231] Referring now to FIG. 6, an "on demand" system 6400 is shown
and is configured for requesting of moisture status from an
incontinence detection apparatus such as those discussed above in
connection with FIGS. 1-5. In the illustrative example, the system
6400 includes a wireless sensor 6626 on a substrate 6624 in
communication with a device 6602 including a controller 6604.
Device 6602 is a patient bed in some embodiments but may just as
well be another piece of equipment or a portable handheld device.
Controller 6604 is configured to power the wireless sensor 6626 via
a transceiver 6616. More specifically, processor 6614 controls the
interrogation of the wireless sensor 6626 by the transceiver 6616.
Antenna 6628 of the wireless sensor 6626 is configured to receive
signals from the transceiver 6616. Sensor traces, similar to those
discussed elsewhere herein, of sensor units 6632 that are exposed
to moisture affect the signal sent back to the transceiver 6616 via
communications circuitry 6630. Transceiver 6616, therefore, is
configured to receive communications from the wireless sensor 6626.
Processor 6614 is in communication with memory 6612, having
embodied therein, a software module, routine, or instructions
executable by the processor 6614 to analyze the signals received by
the transceiver 6616 and apply moisture detection logic 6608 and
moisture volume logic 6610 thereto, to determine if a moisture
event has occurred and the volume of the moisture event.
[0232] In some embodiments such as the illustrative embodiment, the
processor 6614 of controller 6604 is communicatively coupled to one
or more other computing systems, such as a hospital information
system 6636 (e.g., a nurse call system and/or an electronic medical
records (EMR) system), by one or more networks 6634 or other
communication links. As such, occurrences of moisture detection
events detected by the processor 6614 executing the moisture
detection logic 6608 is communicated to one or more other
electronic devices, as described above.
[0233] Memory 6612 may be pre-programmed with instructions for the
processor to generate specific alerts based on one or more of
moisture detection and a particular threshold of a volume of
moisture being detected. For instance, the alerts illuminate one or
more indicators that are color coded to indicate different levels
of volume. In some examples, a first color, such as green, is used
to indicate the substrate is dry; yellow indicates slight moisture
or low severity notification such as 50 milliliters to 100
milliliters range; and red indicates a large amount of moisture
such as greater than 150 milliliters which corresponds to the
substrate 6624 being soaked and needing to be changed. The alerts
can be further customized to individual patients depending on time
of day, activity/mobility, age, weight, and type of incontinence.
For instance, at nighttime the threshold for a severe alert may be
higher so as to not unnecessarily disturb a patient's sleep.
[0234] As an alternative to continuously monitoring and instant
notification of the moisture state of the patient, device 6602 can
be handheld and incorporated in a mobile device such that a
caregiver can "spot check" the patient while making patient rounds
or while otherwise in the patient's room. This cuts down on the
amount that system 6400 is continuously monitoring for events and
reduces the amount of continuously generated data for system 6400
to handle. The terms "continuously monitoring" and "continuously
generated" as used herein is intended to mean multiple times per
second (e.g., every 50 milliseconds or every 200 milliseconds) or
multiple times per minute if the polling cycle from transceiver
6616 is longer than one second, as well as including polling cycles
that are longer than one minute. The term "instant notification" is
intended to mean as soon as the system 6400 is able to process the
information and activate a notification (e.g., turn on a light,
display information on a screen, send a message to a mobile device,
etc.) during its normal operation and so is intended to account for
the inherent processing time in the system 6400.
[0235] For example, in the illustrative embodiment, device 6602
includes a reader 6618 with an antenna 6620 and communications
circuitry 6622. Reader 6618 may be a barcode scanner in some
embodiments. The caregiver carrying device 6602 uses the reader
6618 to scan a tag or token 6640 having a barcode or other ID
information associated with a patient (such as a hospital ID
bracelet) or associated with medical equipment used by the patient
(such as a bed) or associated with the caregiver (e.g., the
caregiver's own ID tag). In response to this scanning of ID
information, the reader 6618 sends a signal to the processor 6614
via communications subsystem 6615 and, in turn, processor 6614
triggers the transceiver 6616 to interrogate the wireless sensor
6626 of the patient. If an incontinence event has occurred, as
determined by processor 6614 based on the information sent back to
transceiver 6616 from wireless sensor 6626, an alert is then shown
on a display 6638 on the handheld device 6602 so that the caregiver
can take appropriate actions while present with the patient.
[0236] As mentioned above, in some embodiments, device 6602 is
attached to or coupled to patient equipment, such as a bed or chair
on which the patient is supported. In such embodiments, the reader
6618 may activate the system 6400 to interrogate the sensor 6626
automatically in response to detection of the caregiver. For
example, in some embodiments, the reader 6618 senses the presence
of a caregiver tag 6640 using RFID or infrared (IR) technology when
the caregiver is within reception range of reader 6618 which
generally corresponds to the caregiver being within proximity of
the patient on device 6602. If there has been an incontinence
event, then the associated alert is shown on display 6638 of device
6602 so that the caregiver can take appropriate actions while
present with the patient.
[0237] Referring now to FIG. 7, a method or algorithm 6700
implemented by system 6400 is shown. According to algorithm 6700,
the controller 6604 interrogates an RFID tag in wireless sensor
6626 as indicated at block 6702. Controller 6604 then receives a
response from the interrogation as indicated at block 6704.
Controller 6604 determines based on the received signal if
incontinence or other fluid is present as indicated at block 6706.
If there is no incontinence detected, controller 6604 determines
whether an alert should be generated as indicated at block 6708
(i.e. "green" meaning okay/no moisture) and generates an alert
signal as indicated at block 6722. If the controller 6604 only
generates alerts for moisture, no alert is generated as indicated
at block 6720.
[0238] If incontinence is detected at block 6706 of algorithm 6700,
the controller 6604 determines the number of traces exposed to
fluid as indicated at block 6710. Based on the number of traces
exposed to fluid, a predetermined distance between the traces, and
the wicking properties of a substrate that holds the traces, the
controller 6604 then computes a fluid volume detected as indicated
at block 6712. The volume is compared to predefined alert
thresholds by controller 6604 to determine if an alert (e.g.,
yellow for medium amount of fluid; red for a larger amount of
fluid) is necessary as indicated at 6714 and, if so, the
corresponding coded alert message is sent to display 6638 by
processor 6614 of controller 6604 as indicated at block 6718. If
the fluid volume detected does not meet any of the predefined alert
thresholds, no alert may be generated as indicated at block
6716.
[0239] Referring now to FIGS. 8A-8D, illustrative embodiments
showing how a pair of sensors or sensing grids 814 for detecting
moisture can be incorporated into respective pads 800A-D are shown.
Each of the pads 800A-D is configured to support a patient on a top
surface and is typically used with a patient support, frame, or
bed. In a first embodiment pad 800A, as shown in FIG. 8A, a top
surface consists of a non-woven layer 810, in contact with an
absorbent layer 812, and the sensing grids 814 are printed directly
onto barrier layer 816 which defines the bottom surface of pad
800A. The non-woven top layer 810 typically is a polymer-based
material and is made from bonded fibers and/or filaments. The
non-woven top layer 810 provides comfort and softness for a patient
on the pad 800A. Absorbent layer 812 provides a core material of
the pad to hold moisture and may include, for example, wood pulp
and/or extruded polymer fibers. The fibers can be loose or bonded
into a web of material at the option of the pad designer.
[0240] Sensing grids 814 include conductive ink traces as well as
an RFID chip or tag as described above in connection with the
embodiments of FIGS. 1-6. Suitable conductive inks include, for
example, carbon, silver, copper, zinc and graphene. Barrier layer
816 is typically polyethylene (PE) which provides a barrier to
prevent moisture penetration to a support surface or frame beneath
pad 800A. Polypropylene (PP) sheets and/or polyurethane (PU) sheets
are also acceptable to be used as barrier layer 816. The barrier
layer 816 may or may not be breathable. In some embodiments,
barrier layer 816 is substantially waterproof. In a prototype
system which was found to work acceptably, silver ink was printed
on a sheet of PE material that was inserted into a pad that,
itself, had a bottom substantially waterproof layer. The layer of
PE material with silver ink was situated between the bottom layer
and an overlying layer of absorbent material.
[0241] In another exemplary embodiment pad 800B, as shown in FIG.
8B, a top surface non-woven layer 810 is provided in contact with
an absorbent layer 818 with super absorbent polymer beneath it.
Sensing grids 814 are printed directly on barrier layer 816 and a
non-woven layer 820 is provided beneath the barrier layer 816 to
contact a patient support or frame. In this embodiment, an
absorbent layer with super absorbent polymer 818 is provided. The
super absorbent polymer (SAP) provides 3-5 times more moisture
absorption than the wood pulp absorbent layer 812 of pad 800A of
FIG. 8A. The SAP will typically be incorporated into absorbent
layer 818 as powder but can be fibers if desired. An example of a
SAP that may be used in absorbent layer 818 is sodium polyacrylate.
Alternatively or additionally, the SAP may be impregnated into
layer 818 or be situated on top of layer 818 in other embodiments.
The non-woven bottom layer 820 is optional and may be added to
provide friction to prevent sliding with respect to a patient
support or frame. The non-woven bottom layer 820 may also be added
to provide grip when moving the pad 800B and to provide increased
tensile strength for moving patients.
[0242] In another exemplary embodiment pad 800C, as shown in FIG.
8C, pad 800 includes a non-woven layer 810 at the top surface, an
absorbent layer with SAP 818, sensing grid layers 814 printed on a
top surface of a non-woven substrate 822 between the absorbent
layer with SAP 818 and the bottom of the non-woven substrate 822,
barrier layer 816 and non-woven layer 820 at the bottom. In this
embodiment, non-woven substrate 822 of pad 800C provides an
alternative to printing on the barrier sheet 816 if, for example,
the barrier sheet 816 is made of a material that is not capable of
surviving the print curing process required to print the conductive
ink traces onto the barrier layer 816. The non-woven substrate 822
may also provide additional tensile strength thereby preventing
electrode and/or pad rupture and stretching. In a variant of pad
800C of FIG. 8C, the sensing grids 814 are printed on a bottom
surface of the non-woven substrate 822 that faces the barrier layer
816. This provides an extra layer that moisture from a patient on
the top surface must wick through. This may prevent false positives
for incontinence detection caused by perspiration or other
undesirable moisture detection, for example.
[0243] In another exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8D, pad
800D includes a non-woven top layer 810, an absorbent layer with
SAP 818, sensing grids 814 printed onto film substrate 824 which is
a co-laminate with the barrier layer 816, and non-woven layer 820.
Absorbent layer 812 and absorbent layer with SAP 818 may be
alternatively used in any of the embodiments depending on the
desired level of moisture retention. Similarly non-woven layer 820
may be optionally provided or removed from any of the embodiments
depending on the desirability of the features it provides.
[0244] In the illustrative examples of pads 800A-800D, each of
layers 810, 812 816, 818, 820, 822, 824, to the extent present, are
generally rectangular in shape. However, layers 812, 818 are
slightly smaller in length and width dimensions than layers 810,
816, 820, 822, 824. The larger-sized layers 810, 816, 820, 822, 824
are attached at their peripheries (again, to the extent present in
any particular pad 800A-D) such as by sewing, sonic or RF welding,
adhesive or other laminating technique. Thus, the periphery of the
absorbent material layers 812, 818 is inset by a small amount from
the overall periphery of pads 800A-D. The sensing grids 814 are
within the periphery of the absorbent layers 812, 818 and so are
also inset from the overall periphery of pads 800A-D. In other
embodiments, the layers 810, 812 816, 818, 820, 822, 824 are
attached to each other across their entire widths and not just at
the peripheries.
[0245] In the illustrative examples, incontinence pad 300 includes
two sensors 310, 312 and incontinence pads 800A-D each include two
sensors 814. However, it is within the scope of the present
disclosure for only a single sensor, with a single RFID tag or
chip, to be used in pads that are generally the same size as pads
300, 800A-D or even larger. The use of two sensors in the
illustrative examples was dictated by the equipment available to
screen print the traces (e.g., traces 316, 318) of the sensors.
Thus, use of larger screen printing equipment permits the traces to
be made larger and therefore, permits a single-sensor pad to be
manufactured.
[0246] In a prototype embodiment, the sensor traces were printed
using a standard screen printer. Individual sheets of PE were
manually placed on the printer. After printing, the individual PE
sheets were manually placed on a rack to separate each sheet. The
rack of sensors was placed into an oven and the ink (silver in the
prototype) of the sensors was thermally cured. An RFID label that
used an existing RFID chip from Convergence Systems Limited of Hong
Kong was then attached to PE sheet having the cured traces. The
RFID label was printed and cured on an existing high volume
roll-to-roll system. An adhesive was applied to the RFID label and
the label was manually attached to the printed sensor. Copper
rivets were then use to electrically attach the label to the sensor
traces. The pad of the prototype was a standard pad available from
Principle Business Enterprises, Inc. (PBE) of Bowling Green, Ohio.
The pad was slit along one of its edges. Adhesive was applied to
the back of each sensor. Two sensors were then manually inserted
between the middle absorbent layer and the bottom PP layer of the
pad. The slit through which the sensors were inserted was then
glued shut.
[0247] The present disclosure contemplates systems that are able to
estimate the type of biofluid present on the incontinence pads, the
quantity of biofluid released onto the pads, and the integrity of
the interdigitated conductive fingers (or other patterns of
traces). Biofluid volume estimation is accomplished, for example,
using multiple sensors in multiple zones with outputs from the
sensors feeding into multiple inputs of an RFID chip. The volume is
estimated based on the number of inputs into the RFID chip that are
active.
[0248] Another way to estimate biofluid volume is to provide a
current source with the RFID chip, along with an Analog to Digital
Converter (ADC). The current source forces current to the
conductive traces and when biofluid is present between them, the
current flowing between the traces produces a voltage that is read
by the ADC. By using calibration data, the volume and fluid type
may be estimated based on the measured voltage. The time rate of
change in the voltage produced also can be used to estimate the
rate at which fluid is being introduced onto the incontinence
pad.
[0249] Various alerts are generated based on type of biofluid on
the pad and/or volume of biofluid on the pad and/or the rate at
which the biofluid was delivered to the pad. Thus, variable alarm
thresholds are contemplated by this disclosure. For example, an
alert is generated for a lower volume of blood than it may take for
an alert to be generated for urine. As another example, if the rate
of biofluid delivery is too high, an alert may be generated.
[0250] The type of biofluid present on the pad can be estimated
using methods such as sensing the conductivity and/or resistance of
the biofluid on the pad. Urine is relatively conductive (in the
range of 0.06 to 0.1 siemens per meter (S/m)) but blood is much
more conductive (in the range of 1.18 to 3.35 S/m). So, even for
small amounts of blood, it is able to be distinguished from urine
based on a conductivity measurement. Fecal conductivity is
typically much lower, but more variable depending upon ion content.
Values of 0.06 S/m are typical. Measurement of the actual value of
conductivity of the biofluid is not necessary. Instead, the
relative or indicated conductivity is suitable for measurement. In
some embodiments, other types of fluids found in a healthcare
environment may be detected in a similar manner, such as indicating
that a patient has spilled a drink or meal on the bed.
[0251] Determining conductivity of a biofluid may be accomplished
by having a current source with the RFID tag, and forcing a current
between the two traces or electrodes, and then estimating the
voltage drop across the two electrodes. This may be accomplished by
an ADC or a series of comparators effectively operating as an ADC.
Measuring across successive pairs of conductors may yield an
estimate of the volume or biofluid and provide an indication as to
the type of biofluid.
[0252] Referring now to FIGS. 11-15, an incontinence detection
system 1100 is attached to different types of hospital beds 1110.
The bed 1110 of FIG. 11 is illustrative of the VERSACARE.RTM. bed
available from Hill-Rom Company, Inc. The bed 1110 of FIG. 12 is
illustrative of the PROGRESSA.RTM. bed available from Hill-Rom
Company, Inc. The bed 1110 of FIG. 13 is a bed currently in
development for sale by Hill-Rom Company, Inc. Details of bed 1110
of FIG. 13 can be found in International Patent Application No.
PCT/US2016/034908, which was filed May 29, 2016, and which is
hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The bed
1110 of FIG. 14 is similar to the Secure II bed available from
Stryker Corporation. The bed 1110 of FIG. 15 is a generic bed which
is shown diagrammatically.
[0253] With the exception of bed 1110 of FIG. 13 which will be
discussed below, the incontinence detection system 1100 includes a
reader 1112, first and second antennae 1114, 1116, a visual
indicator 1118, and an output port 1120 as shown in FIGS. 11, 12,
14 and 15. A first cable 1122 electrically couples antenna 1114 to
reader 1112. A second cable 1124 electrically couples antenna 1116
to reader 1112. A third cable 1126 electrically couples reader 1112
to visual indicator 1118. A fourth cable 1128 electrically couples
reader 1112 to output port 1120.
[0254] Bed 1110 of FIG. 11 has a mattress support deck 1130 with a
dished head section 1132, a dished thigh section 1134, and an
extendable and retractable foot section 1136. A seat section in the
form of a smaller dished panel is situated in the space between
head section 1132 and thigh section 1134 but cannot be seen in FIG.
11. Bed 1110 of FIG. 11 has an upper frame 1138 upon which sections
1132, 1134, 1136 of deck 1130 are supported for pivoting or
articulating movement. Seat section (not shown) is stationary
relative to upper frame 1138 in bed 1110 of FIG. 11. Deck 1130 is
sometimes referred to as a step deck in the art due to the dished
shape of some or all of the deck sections 1132, 1134, 1136 and the
seat section.
[0255] Bed 1110 of FIG. 11 also has a base frame 1140 which is
supported on a floor by a set of four casters 1142, three of which
can be seen in FIG. 11. Bed 1110 has a lift system to raise, lower
and tilt upper frame 1138 relative to base frame 1140 as is known
in the art. The lift system is in the form of linkages and
motorized linear actuators in some embodiments. Bed 1110 of FIG. 11
has a pair of head end siderails (sometimes referred to as head
rails) 1144 that are mounted to and move with head section 1132 as
it is pivotably raised and lowered relative to upper frame 1138, a
pair of foot end siderails 1146 (sometimes referred to as foot
rails) that are mounted to upper frame 1138, a headboard 1148
removably coupled to an upstanding portion 1150 of base frame 1140,
and a footboard 1152 removably coupled to a foot end portion of
foot section 1136 which is the extendable and retractable portion
of foot section 1136. Additional details of the VERSACARE.RTM. bed
1110 shown in FIG. 11 can be found in Service Manual,
VersaCare.RTM. Bed, from Hill-Rom, Product P3200/P3201, 2008 by
Hill-Rom Services, Inc. and in U.S. Pat. No. 7,533,429, each of
which is hereby incorporated by reference herein for all that it
teaches.
[0256] Still referring to FIG. 11, reader 1112 is shown mounted to
an underside of a frame member of thigh section 1134. Thus, in the
illustrative example, reader 1112 articulates with thigh section
1134 as thigh section 1134 pivots relative to upper frame 1138. In
other embodiments, reader 1112 is mounted to upper frame 1138.
Reader 1112 may become blocked from view in the illustrative
example when the adjacent siderail 1146 is moved from the
illustrative lowered position up to a raised position. It should be
appreciated that each of siderails 1144, 1146 is movable between
raised and lowered positions relative to their respective support
structure (e.g., head section 1132 in the case of siderails 1144
and upper frame 1138 in the case of siderails 1146).
[0257] Antenna 1114 is mounted to head section 1132 closer to the
left side of bed 1110 than to the right side. Similarly, antenna
1124 is mounted to thigh section 1134 closer to the left side of
bed 1110 than to the right side. The left and right sides of bed
1110 correspond to left and right sides of a patient lying in bed
1110 in a supine position. Due to the dished shape of deck sections
1132, 1134, the angled side walls of the deck sections 1132, 1134
that angle upwardly from the bottom panel of deck sections 1132,
1134 limit how close to the left side of bed 1110 antennae 1114,
1116 can be placed. Suffice it to say that antennae 1114, 1116 are
located on the bottom panels of respective sections 1132, 1134 as
close to the angled sidewalls of deck sections 1132, 1134 on the
left side of bed 1110 as is practical. In some embodiments, strips
of hook and loop fasteners (not shown) are used to hold antennae
1114, 1116 in place on the respective deck sections 1132, 1134.
[0258] The reason for locating antennae 1114, 1116 closer to the
left side of bed is twofold. First, the thickness of each antenna
1114, 1116 is in the range of about one inch, give or take a 1/2
inch or so, and therefore, by placing the antennae 1114, 1116
closer to the left side of deck 1130, a patient positioned on a
mattress supported by deck 1130 is less likely to "feel" the
antennae 1114, 1116 through the mattress. Second, incontinence
detection pads contemplated by this disclosure have RFID tags
situated near the left side of the pads. Thus, the antennae 1114,
1116 which emit or radiate energy to power the RFID tags and to
read the data sent or reflected back from the RFID tags operate
more efficiently when they are closer to the RFID tags.
Accordingly, it should be appreciated that, in alternative
embodiments of incontinence detection system 1100, antennae 1114,
1116 may be located closer to the right side of bed 1110 if the
incontinence pads of such alternative embodiments have their
respective RFID tags situated near the right sides of the pads
rather than the left sides. Alternatively or additionally, deck
sections 1132, 1134 may be formed with recesses in which respective
antennae 1114, 1116 are received so that upper surfaces of antennae
1114, 1116 are generally flush with upper surfaces of the bottom
panel of deck sections 1132, 1134.
[0259] Cables 1122, 1124 are routed from respective antennae 1114,
1116 to reader 1112 through a gap or space 1154 defined between a
foot end of head section 1132 and a head end of thigh section 1134.
The manner in which cables 1122, 1124 are routed in the
illustrative FIG. 11 example suggests that they both are routed
through a space between a foot end of the seat section (not shown)
and the head end of the thigh section 1134. However, one or both of
cables 1122, 1124 may just as well be routed through a space
between a foot end of the head section 1132 and a head end of the
seat section (not shown). Regardless of the exact routing path,
cables 1122, 1124 are provided with sufficient slack to permit head
section 1132 and thigh section 1134 to pivot through their full
ranges of movement relative to upper frame 1138.
[0260] Cable 1126 is routed from reader 1112 to visual indicator
1118 along an underside of thigh section 1134 and foot section
1136. Because visual indicator 1118 is mounted to the portion of
foot section 1136 that extends and retracts, cable 1126 is provided
with sufficient slack to permit the extension and retraction of
foot section 1136 through its full range of movement. Cable 1128 is
routed from reader 1112 to output port 1120 along portions of deck
1130 and frames 1138, 1140 as desired. Because output port 1120 is
mounted to upstanding portion 1150 of base frame 1140 and because
reader 1112 is mounted to deck 1130 or frame 1138, as the case may
be, which are able to be raised, lowered and tilted relative to
base frame 1140, cable 1128 is provided with sufficient slack to
permit the upper frame 1138, along with deck 1130, to be raised,
lowered and tilted relative to base frame 1140 through its full
range of movement.
[0261] Suitable cable management devices such as zip ties, hooks,
clips, straps, bands, and the like are provided in some embodiments
to attach cables 1122, 1124, 1126, 1128 to portions of bed 1110 at
various locations to prevent unwanted sagging or movement of cables
1122, 1124, 1126, 1128. However, as suggested above, some portions
of cables 1122, 1124, 1126, 1128 should be sufficiently slack to
permit movement of the various portions of bed 1110 without
stretching, pinching or binding the respective cable 1122, 1124,
1126, 1128.
[0262] Referring now to FIG. 12, the illustrative PROGRESSA.RTM.
bed 1110 shown therein has similar features as the illustrative
VERSACARE.RTM. bed 1110 of FIG. 11. Thus, like reference numbers
are used to denote like portions of these beds 1110 and the
description above is equally applicable except where noted below in
the discussion of bed 1110 of FIG. 12. In FIG. 12, the foot rail
1146 at the left side of the bed 1110 has been removed so that
certain aspects of mattress support deck 1130 are more readily
visible. Bed 1110 of FIG. 12 has a base 1140' that includes a
shroud and the metal frame members of the base frame covered by the
shroud. The arms or links 1200 of the lift system of bed 1110 of
FIG. 12 can also be seen, although the linear actuators that are
operated to move arms 1200 to raise, lower and tilt upper frame
1138 relative to base 1140' are covered by the shroud of base
1140'.
[0263] Deck 1130 of FIG. 12 has flat panels for its various
sections and so is not a step deck. Deck 1130 of FIG. 12 has a
first head section portion or panel 1132a and a second head section
portion or panel 1132b that are included in head section 1132 of
bed 1110 of FIG. 12. As head section is pivotably raised relative
to upper frame 1138, deck panel 1132a translates in parallel
relation with deck panel 1132b in a direction indicated by arrow
1202. As head section is pivotably lowered relative to upper frame
1138, deck panel 1132a translates in parallel relation with deck
panel 1132b in a direction opposite of arrow 1202. First antenna
1114 of incontinence detection system 1100 of FIG. 12 is coupled to
the movable deck panel 1132a in a lower left side corner region
thereof. Thus, antenna 1114 translates with head section portion
1132a relative to head section portion 1132b. Cable 1122 that
extends from antenna 1114 to reader 1112 includes sufficient slack
to accommodate this movement of antenna 1114.
[0264] In some embodiments, a pivot axis about which head section
1132 of bed 1110 of FIG. 12 pivots relative to upper frame 1138
translates toward the head end of upper frame 1138 when head
section 1132 is raised and translates toward the foot end of upper
frame 1138 when head section 1132 is lowered. Such movement of the
head section pivot axis during raising of head section 1132 further
increases a distance between antenna 1114 and reader 1112 which
also is accommodated by slack in cable 1122. Additional details of
a suitable mechanism for translating head section portion 1132a
relative to head section portion 1132b and for translating the head
section pivot axis relative to upper frame 1138 can be found in
U.S. Pat. No. 8,516,634 which is hereby incorporated by reference
herein in its entirety. Further details of bed 1110 of FIG. 12 can
also be found in Service Manual, Progressa.TM. Bed, From Hill-Rom,
Product No. P7500, .COPYRGT. 2013 by Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
[0265] A seat section 1133 of deck 1130 of bed 1110 can be seen in
FIG. 12. Seat section 1133 is situated longitudinally between the
foot end of portion 1132b of head section 1132 and the head end of
thigh section 1134. Deck 1130 of FIG. 12 includes a pair of side
panels 1135, each of which is situated laterally outboard of seat
section 1133 and thigh section 1134. Thus, one of panels 1135 is
located to the right of deck sections 1133, 1134 and the other of
panels 1135 is located to the left of deck sections 1133, 1135.
Panels 1135 and seat section 1133 are fixed relative to upper frame
1138 in the illustrative embodiment. Thus, in the lateral dimension
of bed 1110 of FIG. 12, seat and thigh sections 1133, 1134 are not
as wide as head and foot sections 1132, 1136. Accordingly, antenna
1116 mounted to thigh section 1134 of FIG. 12 is located further
from the left side of bed 1110 than is antenna 1114. That is
antennae 1114, 1116 are located at different distances from the
left side of bed 1110 (or the left side of deck 1130) of FIG.
12.
[0266] In alternative embodiments, antenna 1116 is mounted to seat
section 1133 near the left edge thereof. In other embodiments,
antenna 1116 is mounted such that a portion of antenna 1116 is
supported by the panel 1135 and another portion of antenna 1116 is
supported by seat section 1133. In still other embodiments, antenna
1114 is mounted to seat section 1133 or to a combination of panel
1135 and seat section 1133 as just described. In further
embodiments, antennae 1114, 1116 are mounted at these various
locations on the right side of deck 1130 rather than the
illustrative left side.
[0267] In the illustrative FIG. 12 example, cables 1122, 1124 are
routed from respective antennae 1114, 1116 to reader 1112 through a
space or gap 1204 formed adjacent to a junction between the panel
1135 at the left side of bed 1110, a left head end corner region of
seat section 1133, and a left foot end corner region of panel 1132b
of head section 1132. In the illustrative FIG. 12 example, reader
112 is mounted to an undersurface of a longitudinal frame member
1206 of upper frame 1138. In other embodiments, reader 1112 is
mounted to a side surface of frame member 1206. The side surface of
frame member 1206 in such embodiments may be the inwardly facing
side surface (i.e., the one facing toward a center of bed 1110) or
the outwardly facing side surface (i.e., the one that can be seen
in FIG. 12 facing away from the center of bed 1110).
[0268] Foot section 1136 of bed 1110 of FIG. 12 is also extendable
and retractable. Thus, cable 1126 of FIG. 12 has sufficient slack
to accommodate the extension and retraction of foot section 1136.
Output port 1120 of FIG. 12 is mounted to upper frame 1138 to be
raised, lowered, and tilted therewith. Thus, extra slack does not
need to be provided in that cable 1128 of FIG. 12 that extends
between reader 1112 and output port 1120. Thus, in FIG. 12, cable
1128 is shown as being situated against the inwardly facing side
surface of upper frame member 1206 along a majority of its
length.
[0269] Referring now to FIG. 13, the illustrative bed 1110 is
similar to those of FIGS. 11 and 12 such that like reference
numbers are used to denote like components of these beds. The
descriptions above of beds 1110 of FIGS. 11 and 12 is equally
applicable to bed 1110 of FIG. 13 except where noted in the
description that follows. Also, in the FIG. 13 example, the head
rail 1144 and the foot rail 1146 at the left side of bed 1110 have
been removed. In FIG. 13, head section 1132 includes a single flat
panel and antenna 1114 is mounted thereto in the left, foot end
corner region.
[0270] Seat section 1133 of FIG. 13 includes a U-shaped panel with
a main portion 1133a and side portions 1133b extending toward a
foot end of bed 1110 from the main portion. Thigh section 1134
nests within the U-shape of seat section 1133 when in a lowered
position as shown in FIG. 13. Antenna 1116 is coupled to thigh
section 1116 near the left edge thereof. In alternative
embodiments, one or the other of antennae 1114, 1116 is coupled to
seat section 1133 near the left edge thereof. In further
alternative embodiments, antennae 1114, 1116 are coupled to deck
1130 closer to the right side thereof.
[0271] In the illustrative FIG. 13 example, cables 1122, 1124 are
routed from respective antennae 1114, 1116 to reader 1112 through a
space or gap 1300 formed between a foot end of head section 1132
and a head end of seat section 1133. One key difference between the
incontinence detection system 1100 of FIG. 13 and those of FIGS. 11
and 12 is that visual indicator 1118, output port 1120, and cables
1126, 1128 are omitted in the FIG. 13 system 1100. Instead, reader
1112 is electrically coupled to bed control circuitry 1302 via a
suitable cable 1304 as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 13.
[0272] Bed 1110 of FIG. 13 has a series of alert lights 1306 a,
1306b, 1306c, 1306d, 1306e that are included in a foot end frame
member 1308 of foot section 1136 and that are controlled by bed
control circuitry 1302. Alert lights 1306a-e are similar to those
shown and described in International Patent Application No.
PCT/US2016/034908 which is already incorporated by reference herein
(see particularly, FIG. 97 along with the related discussion of
that document). For purposes of this disclosure, alert light 1306e
is the one that is illuminated in connection with the incontinence
detection system 1100 of bed 1110 of FIG. 13. Circuitry 1302 of bed
1110 commands alert light 1306e to shine or illuminate white light
when reader 1112 is turned on but no incontinence detection pad is
detected. Circuitry 1302 of bed 1110 commands alert light 1306e to
shine green light when reader 1112 is turned on and is
communicating with an incontinence detection pad that is dry, or at
least not sufficiently wet to be sensed by the pad. Circuitry 1302
of bed 1110 commands alert light 1306e to shine yellow (aka amber)
light, and to flash in some embodiment, when reader 1112 is turned
on and is communicating with an incontinence detection pad that is
wet.
[0273] Bed circuitry 1302 is operable to output bed data, including
data detected by the incontinence detection system 1100, through a
nurse call output port 1310 shown diagrammatically in FIG. 13. Port
1310 is a 37-pin connector in some embodiments, for example. Such
37-pin connectors are known connectors which are sometimes used on
hospital beds for communication with a nurse call system of a
healthcare facility. In some embodiments, the incontinence
detection information or data, such as data including information
regarding whether the incontinence detection pad has detected
wetness, is transmitted from bed 1110 by circuitry 1302 via port
1310 in one or more data packets that also include the other bed
data. In other embodiments, the incontinence detection information
is transmitted in one or more data packets that do not include the
bed data. That is the incontinence detection data can be
transmitted in the same data packets as the bed data or in separate
packets.
[0274] Referring now to FIG. 14, the illustrative bed 1110 has some
features similar to those of FIGS. 11-13 such that like reference
numbers are used to denote like components of these beds. The key
difference between bed 1110 of FIG. 14 and the beds of FIGS. 11-13
is the routing of cables 1122, 1124 between respective antennae
1114, 1116 and reader 1112. In the illustrative FIG. 14 example,
cable 1122 is routed from antenna 1114, which is coupled to head
section 1132, to reader 1112 through a hole 1400 formed in seat
section 1133. Also in the illustrative example, cable 1124 is
routed from antenna 1116, which is coupled to thigh section 1134,
to reader 1112 through a hole 1402 formed in thigh section 1134.
The general concept depicted in FIG. 14, therefore, is that cables
1122, 1124 can be routed through holes formed in any of deck
sections 1132, 1133, 1134, 1136 of deck 1130, as desired, rather
than being routed through the spaces that exist between the various
deck sections 1132, 1133, 1134, 136. Embodiments having one of
cables 1122, 1124 routed through a space between deck sections
1132, 1133, 1134, 1136 and the other of cables 1122, 1124 routed
through a hole provided in any of deck sections 1132, 1133, 1134,
1136 are also contemplated by this disclosure.
[0275] Referring now to FIG. 15, a diagrammatic view of bed 1110
and incontinence detection system 1100 is provided. Bed 1110 of
FIG. 15 has a mattress 1500 (aka a patient support surface or just
a surface) supported on deck sections 1132, 1134, 1136 of deck
1130. No seat section is depicted in FIG. 15 but, of course, one is
present in some embodiments. An incontinence detection pad 1510
having an RFID tag 1512 is situated between a patient and mattress
1500. Pad 1510 is generally located beneath the patient's buttocks
and upper thighs so as to increase the likelihood of absorbing and
detecting incontinence expelled by the patient.
[0276] A head section motor 1514 for pivotably raising and lowering
head section 1132 and a thigh section motor 1516 for pivotably
raising and lowering thigh section 1134, such as through flanges,
brackets, and/or linkages attached to frame 1138 and sections 1132,
1134, are shown diagrammatically in FIG. 15. Motors 1514, 1516 are
included in respective linear actuators in some embodiments of bed
1110. Bed control circuitry 1302 commands operation of motors 1514,
1516 in response to user inputs on bed as is known in the art.
[0277] As indicated diagrammatically in FIG. 15, antenna 1114 is
located a first distance d.sub.1 away from RFID tag 1512 and
antenna 1116 is located a second distance d.sub.2 away from RFID
tag 1512. Antennae 1114, 1116 are controlled by reader 1112 to emit
energy through mattress 1500 to RFID tag 1512 and tag 1512 responds
with its data back to one or both of antennae 1114, 116 through
mattress 1500. Reader 1112 is also able to write data to RFID tag
1512 via antennae 1114, 1116. Thus, once pad 1510 becomes wet a
particular bit of data is set in memory of RFID tag 1512 (more
particularly, an RFID chip of tag 1512) and when reader processes
the data received from RFID tag 1512, it is able to determine
whether the pad 1510 is wet or not wet (more particularly, not
sufficiently wet to cause the particular bit to get set).
[0278] If reader 1112 determines that pad 1510 is wet, a second bit
(aka a kill bit) is set in RFID tag 1512 by reader 1112 via one or
both of antennae 1114, 1116. Once the kill bit is set in RFID tag
1512, it remains unchanged thereafter. If pad 1510 dries out after
having been wet, reader 1512 will see that the kill bit is still
set when it receives subsequent data from RFID tag 1512 such that
the particular pad 1510 should not be re-used. In some embodiments,
reader 1512 sends an alert to indicate that the pad is a "bad" pad
that should not be used because it has been previously soiled with
wetness. In other embodiments, reader 1112 simply causes visual
indicator 1118 to emit white light indicating that a "good" pad is
not being read by the reader.
[0279] In some embodiments, reader 1112 energizes antennae 1114,
1116 to scan for RFID tag 1512 using a linear frequency hopping
scheme that cycles through fifty frequencies between a lower
frequency limit and an upper frequency limit via one of antennae
1114, 1116 and then cycles through the fifty different frequencies
between the lower frequency limit and the upper frequency limit via
the other of antennae 1114, 1116. The frequency hopping scheme is
non-consecutive and the hops are arranged near the bottom of the
frequency band and hop in approximately 5 Megahertz (MHz) jumps to
near the top of the frequency band, then the hops go back near the
bottom of the frequency band until all fifty frequencies are
used.
[0280] In some embodiments, the lower frequency limit is about 902
Megahertz (MHz) and the upper frequency limit is about 928 MHz.
Each antenna 1114, 1116 is used for a limited number of frequency
transmissions, typically nine in some instances but could be
fifteen or more in other instances. Thus, one of antenna 1114, 1116
is used for a set of frequency transmissions and then the sequence
continues using the other antenna 1114, 1116. Thus, after a block
set of scans using one of antenna 1114, 1116, the next block of
scans is emitted from the other of antenna 1114, 1116. Thus, the
block of scans alternate back and forth between antennae 1114,
1116.
[0281] The frequency transmissions are of different classes which,
in some embodiments, comprise filter transmissions of about 8
milliseconds, inventory transmissions of about 37 milliseconds,
select transmissions of about 15 milliseconds and read tag
transmissions of about 15 milliseconds. The transmission timing is
variable and can be adjusted depending upon the circumstances and
conditions in the field. In some embodiments, there is a delay
period of about 185 milliseconds between every pair of
transmissions, resulting in a more uniform duty cycle and a total
pause of two seconds for each complete cycle on one antenna.
[0282] To give one example, the block scans may include five
frequencies that are spread out over a wide range between the upper
and lower frequency limits. For example, if a first scan is at 902
MHz, the next successive scans in the block of five scans may
increment by 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% of the 26 MHz spread between
the upper and lower limits. Thus, each successive scan is at an
additional increment of 5.2 MHz as compared to the previous scan.
Thus, the last scan in the block of five scans is 20.8 MHz larger
than the first scan in the block of five scans. The next block of
five scans, from the other one of antennae 1114, 1116 which was
dormant during the first scan, uses a different starting frequency
such as 902.52 MHz and then proceeds with 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%
incrementing scheme from that starting frequency. To have 50
frequencies scanned between the limits 902 MHz and 928 MHz,
inclusive thereof, the increment is 0.52 (i.e., 928 MHz-902 MHz=26
Hz/50=0.52 MHz). Each of the 50 different frequencies are required
by regulations to be scanned before a scanning frequency may be
repeated, as noted above.
[0283] By providing a delay period, such as 185 milliseconds in the
illustrative example, and only scanning a limited number of
frequencies in succession at a time, heating of the patient's
tissue is avoided and is kept within U.S. Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) maximum permissible exposure (MPE) limits. The MPE
limits specified by the FCC are dependent upon frequency and power
density limits which are specified as an average value over a six
minute period. In the 902 MHz-928 MHz frequency band, the power
density limit is 0.601 milliWatts (mW)/cm.sup.2 over any six minute
period of time. In some embodiments, the duty cycle of frequency
transmissions is 11.5% and so, with the 185 millisecond delay, each
cycle of transmissions and delay is about two seconds in
length.
[0284] As further indicated diagrammatically in FIG. 15, reader
1112 has wireless communication capability. In the illustrative
example, reader 1112 communicates wirelessly with a wireless access
point 1518. The wireless communication between reader 1112 and
wireless access point 1518 is bidirectional in some embodiments.
That is, wireless messages can be sent and received by reader 1112
and by wireless access point 1518. Wireless access point 1518 is
coupled to a network 1520 so that messages from reader 1112
received by wireless access point 1519 are ultimately able to be
transmitted through network 1520 to other computer devices of other
systems. For example, messages from reader 1112 are communicated to
a nurse call system 1522 in the illustrative example. The block
1522 labeled nurse call system in FIG. 15 is intended to represent
the various servers, computers, room stations, staff stations, and
master nurse stations as well as any additional associated
infrastructure associated with a nurse call system. Such nurse call
systems and associated infrastructure are shown and described, for
example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,411,934 and 8,598,995 which are hereby
incorporated by reference herein.
[0285] As shown diagrammatically in FIG. 15, output port 1120 is
electrically coupled via a wired connection 1524 to an input port
1526 located on a wall 1528 in a hospital room. In some
embodiments, wall 1528 may comprise a room wall of a healthcare
facility. In other embodiments, wall 1528 may comprise a panel of a
piece of architectural equipment such as a headwall unit, a bed
locator unit, a column, an arm, a service chase or the like that
are installed in a hospital room. Input port 1526 is coupled to
network 1520 via suitable infrastructure such as cabling, routers,
gateways, and the like. Thus, data from reader 1112 of system 1100
communicated to port 1526 from port 1120 also can be received by
computer devices of other systems such as nurse call system 1522.
Thus, in the illustrative example, reader 1112 is able to
communicate data from system 1100 via a wired datalink 1524 and a
wireless datalink between reader 1112 and wireless access point
1518.
[0286] In some embodiments, such as the illustrative embodiments of
FIGS. 11, 12 and 14, output port 1120 comprises a female 1/4 inch
receptacle which is configured for receipt of a male 1/4 inch jack
(sometimes referred to as a phono jack). Input port 1526 is also a
female 1/4 inch receptacle that receives a male 1/4 inch jack. In
such embodiments, the data communicated via such 1/4 inch
receptacles and 1/4 inch jacks are binary in nature to indicate
simply whether incontinence detection pad 1510 is wet or not wet.
Such binary signals are sometimes referred to as contact closures
because, when in a high state (e.g., logic level 1), they close a
relay coupled to port 1526 which, in turn, sends a signal to nurse
call system 1522. In some embodiments, the closure of the relay
occurs at the low sate (e.g., logic level 0) rather than the high
state depending upon the relay design. In either case, the signal
to nurse call system 1522 is a simple on/off or binary signal. In
some embodiments, the relays are wired directly into the nurse call
system 1522 without involving network 1520. If desired, a more
sophisticated output port 1120 and input port 1526 may be used. For
example, RJ-45 connectors, 37-pin connectors, RS-232 connectors and
the like (e.g., multi-pin/multi-port or multi-contact) devices may
be used as ports 1120, 1526 in some embodiments according to this
disclosure.
[0287] Referring now to FIG. 16A, an exploded view of antenna 1114
is shown. It should be appreciated that antenna 1116 is constructed
from the same components as antenna 1114 and therefore, the
following description of antenna 1114 shown in FIG. 16A is equally
applicable to antenna 1116. Antenna 1114 includes a housing or
cover 1600, a ground plate 1602, and an antenna plate 1604 carried
on a printed circuit board (PCB) 1606. Housing 1600 is square
shaped and, in some embodiments, is about 207.5 mm in length on
each side. Housing 1600 has a generally flat top wall 1608 and a
perimetral side wall 1610 that extends away from top wall 1608
toward ground plate 1602.
[0288] In the illustrative embodiment, a distance between a plane
defined by the upper surface of top wall 1608 and a plane defined
by the bottom edge of perimetral side wall 1610 (e.g., the height
of housing 1600 when supported on a horizontal deck section 1132,
1334, for example) is about 19.0 mm. The junction between top wall
1608 and perimetral side wall 1610 is rounded and in some
embodiments the rounding is radiused at about 5.0 mm. Top wall 1608
and side walls 1610 each have thicknesses of about 3.0 mm. The
rounding at corner regions defined by the junction of adjacent side
walls 1610 is about 13.4 mm in some embodiments.
[0289] Antenna 1114 includes a coaxial cable 1612 that extends
through side wall 1610 and enters into a space defined between
ground plate 1602 and PCB 1606. Sidewall 1610 is formed to include
a notch 1614 that receives cable 1612 therein. In the illustrative
embodiment, PCB 1606 is an FR-4 printed circuit board which is made
of a composite material composed of woven fiberglass cloth with an
epoxy resin binder that is flame resistant. Also in the
illustrative embodiment, antenna plate 1606 comprises a 1/2 ounce
(oz.) copper cladding on PCB 1606. Such 1/2 oz. copper cladding is
about 17.5 .mu.m (or 0.7 mils) thick according to industry
standards.
[0290] A perimetral edge 1616 of PCB 1606 defines the overall
square shape of PCB 1606 and antenna plate 1604 is also square
shaped, but with a smaller length dimension than PCT 1606. Antenna
plate 1604 is centered on PCB 1606 such that edges 1618 of plate
1604 are parallel with associated edges 1616 of PCB 1606. In the
illustrative embodiment, PCB 1606 has a length of about 184.2 mm
per side and antenna plate 1604 has a length of about 117.0 mm per
side. Thus, perimetral portions of PCB 1606 defined between edges
1618 of plate 1604 and edges 1616 of the PCB 1606 extend beyond the
perimeter of the antenna plate 1604 defined by edges 1618.
[0291] Ground plate 1602 also comprises an FR-4 printed circuit
board and has 1/2 oz. copper cladding thereon which extends over
the entire surface that faces toward PCB 1606. PCB 1606 and the PCB
of ground plate 1602 serve as nonconductive substrates on which the
conductive copper cladding is carried. A perimetral edge 1620 of
ground plate 1602 defines the overall square shape of plate 1602.
In the illustrative example, plate 1602 has a length of about 203.2
mm per side.
[0292] As shown in FIG. 6B, in an interior region of housing 1600,
four connection bosses 1622 are formed integrally with inside
corner regions of perimetral sidewall 1610. An additional set of
four connection bosses 1624 are formed integrally with an inside
surface of top wall 1608 and extend from top wall 1608 in
substantially perpendicular relation therewith. Bosses 1624 are
generally cylindrical in shape. A further set of two connection
bosses 1626 are provided in the interior region of housing 1600
adjacent to an inner surface of one of side walls 1610 with notch
1614 being situated about midway therebetween. Each of bosses 1622,
1624, 1626 has a threaded bore. As measured between centerlines of
the respective threaded bores, bosses 1622 are arranged in a square
having sides with a length of about 189.0 mm and bosses 1624 are
arranged in a square having sides with a length of about 156.0 mm.
Housing 1114 of antenna is made from a suitable plastics material
such as, for example, Ashai XYRON.TM. 240Z-U5026 material.
[0293] As shown in FIG. 16A, PCB 1606 as four boss-receiving holes
1628 through which bosses 1624 extend when PCB 1606 and antenna
plate 1604 are installed in housing 1600. Thus, centers of holes
1628 define a square having sides with a length of about 156.0 mm
which matches the spacing of respective bosses 1624. When
installed, antenna plate 1604 abuts the inner surface of top wall
1608. Antenna 1114 includes a set of four spacers 1630 which each
mount over a respective boss 1624 after PCB 1606 and antenna plate
1604 are installed on bosses 1624. Spacers 1630 are cylindrically
tubular elements made of a suitable plastics material such as
DELRIN.RTM. material, for example. In the illustrative example,
spacers 1630 have a length of about 12.0 mm, an outside diameter of
about 14.0 mm, and an inside diameter of about 7.7 mm. Bosses 1624
have an outside diameter of about 8.0 mm in the illustrative
example. Thus, spacers 1630 are press fit onto bosses 1624.
[0294] Antenna 1114 also has a ground spacer 1632 which extends
between a center of ground plate 1602 and a center of PCB 1606.
Spacer 1632 has includes a cylindrical main body portion having an
outside diameter of about 6.0 mm and a cylindrical stepped down end
portion which has an outside diameter of about 4.5 mm. PCB 1606 and
antenna plate 1604 have a central hole 1634 formed therethrough
which receives the stepped down end portion of spacer 1632 therein.
The main body portion of spacer 1632 is about 12.0 mm in length,
which matches the length of spacers 1630, and the stepped down end
portion has a length of about 2.0 mm. Thus, PCB 1606 rests upon an
annular shoulder of spacer 1632, the annular shoulder being defined
as the surface extending between the stepped down end portion and
the main body portion of spacer 1632. Spacer has a threaded bore
extending axially therethrough. In the illustrative example, spacer
1632 is made from a suitable metal material such as AISI 1018 cold
drawn steel, for example.
[0295] Ground plate 1602 nests within a bottom region of perimetral
side wall 1610 of housing 1600 such that the surface of ground
plate 1602 having the copper cladding abuts some or all of bosses
1622, 1624, 1626 and spacers 1630, 1632. Ground plate 1602 has a
set of bolt-receiving apertures 1634 (not all of which are numbered
in FIG. 16A) that are aligned with the bores of respective bosses
1622, 1624, 1626 and spacers 1630, 1632. Antenna 1114 has a set of
bolts or screws 1636 (not all of which are numbered in FIG. 16A)
that extend through apertures 1634 and thread into the threaded
bores of respective bosses 1622, 1624, 1626 with the exception of
one bolt 1636 which threads into ground spacer 1632. When ground
plate 1602 is fastened in place relative to housing 1600 by bolts
1636, an outer surface of ground plate 1602 is generally coplanar
with a bottom edge of side wall 1610 in some embodiments.
[0296] Ground plate 1602 has a pair of spaced ground wire through
holes 1638 and PCB 1606 and antenna plate 1604 has a coax wire
through hole 1640. The copper cladding on ground plate 1602 and
antenna plate 1604 coats the respective through holes 1638, 1640.
An end of coaxial cable 1612 extends through perimetral side wall
1610 of housing 1600 and into the gap between PCB 1606 and ground
plate 1602 in substantially parallel relation with ground plate
1602 and PCB 1606. Cable 1612 has at its terminal end a first
conductor 1642 (e.g., a coax wire) that is routed so as to be
coupled to antenna plate 1604 carried by PCB 1606 and a pair of
second conductors (e.g., ground wires from the sheathing of coaxial
cable 1612) that are routed so as to be coupled to ground plate
1602. In the illustrative embodiments, first conductor 1642 is
inserted into through hole 1640 and soldered in place and second
conductors 1644 are inserted into respective through holes 1638 and
soldered in place.
[0297] In the illustrative example, at one terminal end of cable
1612, conductors 1642, 1644 are generally perpendicular to ground
plate 1602 and PCB 1606, as well as antenna plate 1604 carried by
PCB 1606. At an end of cable 1612 opposite of the end having
conductors 1642, 1644, a coax connector 1646 that couples to
circuitry of reader 1112 or to an extension cable that, in turn,
couples to the circuitry of reader 1112. The extension cable (not
shown) is used if cable 1612 does not have sufficient length to
reach reader 1112 from the location at which antenna 1114 is
mounted to the respective hospital bed 1110.
[0298] Referring now to FIGS. 17-19, an alternative embodiment of
an antenna 1714 includes a cover or housing 1700, a ground plate
1702, and an antenna plate 1704 carried on a printed circuit board
(PCB) 1706. Housing 1700 is rectangular in shape in the
illustrative example. Antenna plate 1704 is shaped as an elongated
hexagon with first and second notches 1705 formed at the respective
ends of the elongated hexagon. Thus, a perimeter of the antenna
plate 1704 has first and second spaced apart side edges 1718a,
1718b that are substantially parallel and that are longer than four
end edges 1718c, 1718d, 1718e, 1718f of the elongated hexagon as
shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. Opposite pairs of the end edges 1718c,
1718d, 1718e, 1718f defining opposite ends of the elongated
hexagon. Thus, edges 1718c, 1718d form one end of the elongated
hexagon and edges 1718e, 1718f form the other end of the elongate
hexagon.
[0299] The first and second elongated notches 1705 that extend from
the end edges 1718c, 1718d, 1718e, 1718f of the elongated hexagon
toward a central region of the antenna plate 1704. In the
illustrative example, notches 1705 are substantially parallel with
the first and second spaced apart side edges 1718a, 1718b of the
elongated hexagon. Notches 1705 are open at the end edges 1718c,
1718d, 1718e, 1718f of the elongated hexagon about midway between
the first and second spaced apart side edges 1718a, 1718b.
According to the present disclosure, the first and second notches
1705 act as an electronic band gap.
[0300] As shown in FIG. 18, housing 1700 has a generally flat top
wall 1708 and a perimetral side wall 1710 that extends away from
top wall 1708 toward ground plate 1702. Housing 1700 also has four
corner bosses 1722 and a set of five cylindrical bosses 1724. One
of bosses 1724 extends from a central region of top wall 1708 and
the other four bosses 1724 are situated at corners of an imaginary
rectangle that is smaller than an imaginary rectangle formed by the
location of bosses 1722. A notch 1715 is formed in side wall 1710
between a pair of bosses 1726 of housing 1700. Antenna 1714 has a
coaxial cable 1712 that extends through notch 1715 into an interior
region of housing 1700 between antenna plate 1704 and ground plate
1702. Antenna plate 1704 and PCB 1706 have a set of five holes 1728
formed therethrough. Bosses 1724 extend through respective holes
1728 when PCB 1706 and antenna plate 1704 are installed in housing
1700.
[0301] Antenna 1714 has a set of five cylindrical spacers 1730 that
mount over portions of respective bosses 1724 that project from
holes 1728 beyond antenna plate 1704. Ground plate 1702 includes a
set of bolt-receiving apertures 1734 that receive respective screws
or bolts 1736. Bolts 1736 extend through apertures 1734 of ground
plate 1702 and thread into respective threaded bores of bosses
1722, 1724, 1726 thereby to couple ground plate 1702 to housing
1700. Ground plate 1702 includes a nonconductive substrate with a
metallic plate or cladding carried by the substrate. A first
conductor 1742, such as a coax wire shown in FIG. 17, and one more
ground conductors (not shown but similar to ground wires 1644 of
FIG. 16A) attach to respective antenna plate 1704 and ground plate
1702. Thus, in the illustrative example, antenna plate 1704 has a
through hole 1740 into which conductor 1742 is inserted. Ground
plate 1702 includes one or more similar through holes for insertion
of the respective ground wires.
[0302] If desired, the various components of antenna 1714 are made
from the same type of materials described above in connection with
the various like components of antenna 1114 shown in FIGS. 16A and
16B. It should be appreciated that antenna 1714 can be used in
incontinence detection system 1100, as well as in any other
incontinence detection shown or described herein, in lieu of or in
addition to one or both of antenna 1114, 1116.
[0303] Referring now to FIG. 20, an antenna 2000, similar to the
antenna 1114, 1116 of FIGS. 11-16B, includes a rectangular ground
plate 2002 and a rectangular antenna plate 2004 supported above the
ground plate 2002 by a post 2006. Plate 2004 is supported in
substantially parallel spaced relation with plate 2002. The length
and width of plate 2004 are both smaller than the length and width
of plate 2002. In some embodiments, plate 2004 is centered with
respect to plate 2002. Plate 2004 is oriented so that its end edges
2008 are substantially parallel with end edges 2010 of plate 2002
and so that its side edges 2112 are substantially parallel with
side edges 2114 of plate 2002. Antenna 2000 is sometimes referred
to as a patch antenna with antenna plate 2004 being fed by a center
conductor of a coaxial cable adjacent to one of edges 2008, 2112.
The shield or sheath of coaxial cable is attached to ground plate
2002 (aka a ground plane).
[0304] Referring now to FIG. 21, a side elevation view of the
antenna 2000 is shown along with a radiation pattern 2116 of
antenna 2000. FIG. 22 has a graph 2118 of the reflected power of
antenna 2000 and, more particularly, shows the reflection
S-parameter of antenna 2000 of FIG. 20 with the y-axis units being
decibels (dB) and x-axis units being frequency in Gigahertz (GHz).
S-parameters are sometimes referred to as scattering parameters. It
is generally desirable to have minimal reflected power over the
whole band of interest, in this case 902 MHz-928 MHz (indicated as
0.902 GHz-0.928 GHz in graph 2118). In general, S11 represents how
much power is reflected from the antenna, and is sometimes referred
to as the reflection coefficient. FIG. 22 indicates that antenna
2000 reflects best at 915 MHz (indicated as 0.915 GHz in graph
2118). The bandwidth of any given antenna is considered to be range
over which the S-parameter, S11, is -6 dB or lower (i.e., more
negative).
[0305] Referring now to FIGS. 23 and 24 an antenna, similar to the
antenna 1714 of FIGS. 17-19, is shown. Thus, like reference numbers
are used in FIGS. 23 and 24 to denote the various portions of
antenna 1714. Antenna 1714, therefore, has rectangular ground plate
1702 and antenna plate 1704 shaped as an elongated hexagon with
notches 1705. Antenna plate 1704 is supported above the ground
plate 1702 in parallel spaced relation therewith.
[0306] Referring now to FIG. 25, a graph 2120 shows the reflected
power and more particulary, the reflection S-parameter of the
antenna of FIGS. 23 and 24 with the y-axis units being decibels
(dB) and x-axis units being frequency in Gigahertz (GHz). FIG. 26
shows a side elevation view of a radiation pattern 2122 of the
antenna 1714 of FIGS. 23 and 24 and FIG. 27 shows a top plan view
of the radiation pattern 2122 of FIG. 26. Pattern 2122 has a
minimum point 2124, akin to a dimple, which represents a less
visible reflection area in that region. However, because multiple
antennae 1714 are used in system 1100, the minimum 2124 the overall
coverage area is acceptable.
[0307] As compared to antenna 2000 of FIG. 20, antenna 1714 has a
larger bandwidth or wider frequency coverage and the S-parameter
curve has lower (i.e., more negative) S-parameter values at the
upper and lower frequency limits, 902 MHz and 928 MHz, respectively
than antenna 2000. Thus, at the upper and lower frequency limits of
interest, antenna 1714 of FIGS. 23 and 24 reflects better than
antenna 2000. The tradeoff is that around the center frequencies,
roughly 915 MHz in the illustrative graph 2120, antenna 1714 of
FIGS. 23 and 24 does not reflect quite as well as antenna 2000.
However, the flatter S11 numbers over the entire operational
frequency range of interest is considered a net positive. Also,
antenna 1714 is able to operate acceptably in light of
manufacturing tolerances if the tuning points shift slightly as
compared to antenna 2000. This is because the bandwidth of antenna
1714 is wider than the bandwidth of antenna 2000.
[0308] The shape of antenna 1714 contributes to its enhanced
performance, as compared to antenna 2000, in a couple of ways.
First, the tapered shape of edges 1718c, 1718d, 1718e, 1718f allows
a range of wavelengths to resonate at various points along these
edges 1718c, 1718d, 1718e, 1718f. This helps broaden the frequency
range of antenna 1714 but does not reduce the intensity of the
resonance, which is why the reflection S-parameter, S11, is broader
but somewhat shallower in the center. Second, notches 1705 at each
end of antenna 1714 acts as an electronic band gap structure of a
simple type, which allows lower frequencies for the same distance.
This allows the vertical spacing between ground plate 1702 and
antenna plate 1704 of antenna 1714 to be less than the vertical
spacing between ground plate 2002 and antenna plate 2004 of antenna
2000 for comparable performance in the frequency range of
interest.
[0309] Referring now to FIG. 28, reader 1112 includes a front cover
2200 and a back cover 2202 which couple together with suitable
fasteners, such as illustrative bolts 2204, to house the electrical
circuitry of reader 1112 therein. A rectangular label 2206 covers a
substantially rectangular top surface 2208 of front cover 2202. Top
surface 2208 is recessed by an amount that is substantially
equivalent to a thickness of label 2206. Cover 2200 has a
perimetral side wall 2210 extending from top wall 2208 toward back
cover 2202. Reader 1112 has a first printed circuit board (PCB)
assembly 2212 which is supported relative to a generally
rectangular bottom wall 2214 of back cover 2202 by cylindrical
bosses or pedestals 2216 that are formed integrally with cover
2202. Cover 2202 has a perimetral side wall 2218 extending from
bottom wall 2208 toward front cover 2200.
[0310] Reader 1112 includes a second printed circuit board (PCB)
assembly 2220, which in the illustrative embodiment comprises a
Variscite System on Module (SOM), model no. VAR-SOM-AM43, available
from Variscite Ltd. of Lod, Israel. Reader 1112 further has an
electrical connector 2222 which electrically interconnects PCB
assembly 2212 and PCB assembly 2220. In some embodiments, connector
2222 is an EMBOSS TAPE DDR3 204P 5.2H STDR connector available from
TE Connectivity Ltd. of Schaffhausen, Switzerland as part number
2-2013289-1. Reader 1112 further includes a patch 2224 of double
sided tape which is used to couple an antenna plate 2226 to an
interior surface of top wall 2208. Antenna 2226 is coupled to one
or both of PCB assemblies 2212, 2220 and is used for bidirectional
wireless communications, such as WiFi communications, with external
devices, such as wireless access point 1518, shown diagrammatically
in FIG. 15.
[0311] Still referring to FIG. 28, reader 1112 has a first cable
gasket 2228 and a second cable gasket 2230. First gasket 2228 nests
within cover 2200 and has a portion that extends through a notch
2232 formed in side wall 2210. Second gasket 2230 nests within
cover 2202 and a portion that extends above an edge 2234 of side
wall 2218. Cover 2202 has a pocket 2236 defined by a portion of
side wall 2218 and a set of internal walls 2238. A portion of
second gasket 2230 is received within pocket 2236. Cover 2200 has a
similar type of pocket (not shown) in some embodiments for receipt
of a portion of first gasket 2228 therein. Gaskets 2228, 2230 each
have a set of five grooves or channels 2240. When gaskets 2228,
2230 are clamped together due to coupling of covers 2200, 2202
together, the grooves 2240 of gasket 2228 cooperate with the
grooves 2240 of gasket 2230 to form cable-receiving openings.
[0312] In the illustrative FIG. 28 example, two antenna cables 2242
are shown. Antenna cables 2242 are included in first and second
cables 1122, 1124 of FIGS. 11-15 in some embodiments. Antenna
cables 2242 have first connectors 2244 at one end that couple to
respective ports of first PCB assembly 2212 and second connectors
2246 at an opposite end that couple to respective connectors 1646
(see FIG. 16A) of antennae 1114, 1116. Cables 1126, 1128 are also
routed through respective openings of gaskets 2228, 2230 and are
electrically coupled to PCB assembly 2212 or PCB assembly 2220 of
reader 1112. The fifth opening, formed by one set of mating grooves
2240 of gaskets 2228, 2230 is used for a power cable such as cable
1304 (see FIG. 13) of reader 1112. Thus, the power cable couples to
bed control circuitry 1302 of beds 1110 in some embodiments. In
other embodiments, the power cable has a standard AC plug for
plugging into standard AC outlets such as those provided on a room
wall or those provided as auxiliary power outlets on beds 1110. In
other embodiments, the power cable may have a connector configured
to plug into an Ethernet port to receive power over Ethernet
(PoE).
[0313] A block diagram of the circuitry of PCB assemblies 2212,
2220 is shown in FIGS. 29A, 29B and 29C which connect together to
form the overall block diagram of the electrical circuitry of
reader 1112. The various blocks of FIGS. 29A, 29B, 29C are labeled
to indicate their functions and/or part numbers. Thus, FIGS. 29A,
29B, 29C speak for themselves such that a detailed description of
each block is not required. However, certain notable blocks of
FIGS. 29A, 29B, 29C will be pointed out and briefly discussed
below.
[0314] As shown in FIG. 29A, the circuitry of reader 1112 includes
a DC barrel connector 2248 for connection to 24 Volt DC power if
such power is available. A first connector 2250 for coupling the
reader circuitry to bed control circuitry 1302 of bed 1110 of FIG.
13 via cable 1304 is also shown in FIG. 29A. A second connector
2252 for coupling the reader circuitry to beds 1110 or other
devices that communicate according to the controller area network
(CAN) protocol is also shown in FIG. 29A. As shown in FIG. 29B,
block 2254 comprises the Variscite SOM mentioned above in
connection with PCB assembly 2220. As shown in FIG. 29C, the reader
circuitry includes an AS3993 reader chip 2256 available from AMS AG
of Premstaten, Austria. As also shown in FIG. 29C, the reader
circuitry further includes a PE42440 RF switch 2258 available from
Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation of San Diego, Calif. RF switch
applies the scanning frequencies to antenna 1114, 1116 in some
embodiments. FIG. 29 also has a block 2260 which corresponds to the
visual indicator 1118 of FIGS. 11, 12, 14 and 15. Thus, block 2260
is technically not part of the circuitry of reader 1112.
[0315] Referring now to FIG. 30, the visual indicator 1118 of FIGS.
11, 12, 14 and 15 includes a bracket 3000 having a top wall 3002
and a back wall 3004 extending downwardly from a rear edge 3006 of
top wall 3002. When viewed from the side, an edge 3008 of top wall
3002 and an edge of 3010 of back wall 3004 cooperate to form an
upside down L-shape. Top wall 3002 of bracket attaches to a frame
member of bed 1110, such as a frame member of foot section 1136 or
a frame member of upper frame 1138. For example, hook-and-loop
fastener strips or adhesive or double sided tape may be used to
attach bracket 3000 of visual indicator 1118 to the frame of bed
1110.
[0316] Visual indicator 1118 further includes a gasket 3012 that
abuts back wall 3004 of bracket 3000, a circuit board 3014 that
couples to a pedestal 3016 of gasket 3012, a cover 3018 having a
back edge 3020 that is received in a groove 3022 of gasket 3012,
and a transparent or translucent label or lens 3024 that covers an
opening 3026 of a front wall 3028 of cover 3018. In some
embodiments, indicia such as any of those shown in FIGS. 63A-D and
64A-D are printed on lens 3024. Circuit board 3014 has one or more
light emitting diodes (LED's) that are operated to shine white,
green, or amber (and to flash amber in some embodiments) depending
upon the conditions of system 1100 as discussed above.
[0317] Back wall 3004 has a pair of holes 3028 and gasket 3012 has
a pair of holes 3030, only one of which can be seen in FIG. 30. A
pair of bolts or screws 3032 extends through the pair of holes 3028
of back wall 3004 and through the pair of holes 3030 of gasket 3012
and thread into threaded bores of bosses formed in the interior
region of cover 3018. Back wall 3004 also has a notch 3034 formed
along a bottom edge 3036 thereof. Notch 3034 is sized to permit an
electrical connector 3038 provided at the end of cable 1126 to
connect to an electrical connector of circuit board 3014.
[0318] Referring now to FIG. 31, a backsheet 3100 of an
incontinence detection pad that is suitable for use with
incontinence detection system 1100 and other such systems disclosed
herein is shown. Backsheet 3100 is rectangular in shape and has
first and second electrode traces 3102, 3104 printed thereon.
Electrode traces 3102, 3104 are sometimes referred to herein as
electrodes 3102, 3104. Electrode 3102 has a first straight line
segment portion 3106, a second straight line segment portion 3108
that is substantially perpendicular to portion 3106, a first
rounded portion 3110, a third straight line segment portion 3112
that is substantially parallel with portion 3106, and a second
rounded portion 3114. Electrode 3104 has a first straight line
segment portion 3116, a rounded portion 3118, and a second straight
line segment portion 3120. Electrode 3104 also includes a curved
extension portion 3122.
[0319] Portion 3120 of trace 3104 is substantially parallel with,
and situated between, portions 3106, 3112 of trace 3102. Rounded
portion 3110 of trace 3102 interconnects portions 3108 and 3112 and
extends over an arc of about 90.degree.. Rounded portion 3118 of
trace 3104 interconnects portions 3116, 3120 and extends over an
arc of about 180.degree.. Electrodes 3102, 3104 are printed on
backsheet 3100 and comprise a conductive ink such as carbon ink,
silver ink, or the like. In some embodiments, the thickness of
traces 3102, 3104 is about 3.0 mm mm. Rounded portions 3110, 3118
have radii 3124 of about 190.0 mm in the illustrative example. The
radius 3124 of portion 3110 of electrode 3102 is centered on a
terminal end of portion 3120 of electrode 3104. The radius 3124 of
portion 3118 is centered on a terminal end of portion 3106 of
electrode 3102.
[0320] Perpendicular distances 3126 between portion 3106 of
electrode 3102 and portion 3116 of electrode 3104 and between
portion 3112 of electrode 3102 and portion 3120 of electrode 3104
is about 190.0 mm in the illustrative example. A perpendicular
distance 3128 between portion 3106 of electrode 3102 and portion
3120 of electrode 3104 is about 200.0 mm in the illustrative
example. Radii 3124 and distances 3126, 3128 are measured based on
centerlines of the respective traces 3102, 3104. Side edges 3130 of
backsheet 3100 have lengths of about 900.0 mm and end edges 3132
have lengths of about 750.0 mm in the illustrative example. The
long dimension of backsheet 3130 is sometimes referred to as the
machine direction (MD) and the short dimension of backsheet 3100 is
sometimes referred to as the cross direction (CD).
[0321] Backsheet 3100 includes a sacrificial trace 3134 in an end
region adjacent to one of edges 3132. Sacrifical trace 3134 is left
over from an electrode trace of a next adjacent backsheet 3100
during a manufacturing process as will be described below in
further detail in connection with FIG. 36. Sacrificial trace 3134
is somewhat U-shaped or C-shaped. An RFID tag foot print 3136 in
the form of a dashed rectangle is printed on backsheet 3100 as
shown in FIG. 31. Portion 3114 of electrode 3102 and portion 3122
of electrode 3104 have terminal ends located within foot print
3136. Foot print 3136 delineates an alignment zone or region of
backsheet 3100 within which RFID tag 1512 (see FIG. 15) can be
placed and form proper electrical contacts with portions 3114, 3122
of electrodes 3102, 3104. In FIG. 31, a first enlarged bubble at
the top right region of the page shows foot print 3136 prior to
attachment of RFID tag 1512. A phantom box 3138 in the first
enlarged bubble indicates one example of a space that RFID tag 1512
may occupy within foot print 3136. A second enlarged bubble of FIG.
31 shows RFID tag installed on backsheet 3100 within the foot print
3136.
[0322] Still referring to FIG. 31, a substantially rectangular
phantom box 3140 is shown on backsheet 3100 to delineate the
general location of a perimeter of an absorbent core of an
incontinence detection pad in which backsheet 3100 is included. A
set of dashed lines 3142 adjacent one of edges 3132 indicates the
locations at which the incontinence detection pad having backsheet
3100 is folded in the machine direction. It should be noted that
the two fold lines on the right side of backsheet 3100 pass to the
right and left of foot print 3138 and the RFID tag 1512 contained
therein. Thus, the machine direction folds are oriented so that the
RFID tag 1512 is not folded when the associated incontinence
detection pad is folded. Backsheet 3100 also has an additional
registration mark 3144 that is used during the manufacture of the
incontinence detection pad in which backsheet 3100 is included.
[0323] Referring now to FIG. 32, an exploded end elevation view of
the backsheet 3100 is shown. In the illustrative embodiment,
backsheet 3100 includes a polypropylene spunbond nonwoven layer
3146, a layer of hot melt adhesive 3148, a high density
polyethylene (LDPE) layer 3150, and conductive ink 3152 which forms
the electrode traces 3102, 3104 on the LDPE layer 3150. Thus,
layers 3146, 3150 form a laminate as the overall structure of
backsheet 3100. In some embodiments, layer 3150 has a weight of
about 18 grams per square meter (gsm) and layer 3146 has a weight
of about 22 gsm. In some embodiments, layer 3150 is corona treated
with ultraviolet (UV) light prior to printing the conductive ink
3152 thereon. Such corona treatment temporarily renders layer 3150
hydrophilic to increase to the adhesion of ink 3152 to layer 5150.
With hot melt adhesive being about 2 gsm, the overall weight of
backsheet 3100 is about 42 gsm (18+22+2). However, it should be
appreciated that other weights for backsheet 3100 and various
material that comprise backsheet 3100 are within the scope of this
disclosure.
[0324] Referring now to FIG. 33, an absorbent core 3154 is shown
adhered to a top sheet 3156. Top sheet 3156 is rectangular in shape
and has substantially the same length and width dimensions as
backsheet 3100. Thus, the same reference numbers used in connection
with the edges 3130, 3132 of backsheet 3100 are used to denote the
side edges 3130 and end edges 3132 of top sheet 3156. Absorbent
core 3154 is also rectangular in shape but its overall dimensions
are smaller than top sheet 3156 and backsheet 3100. Thus,
perimetral portions 3158 of top sheet 3156 extend outwardly from a
perimeter of the absorbent core 3154. Absorbent core has side edges
3160 that are about 790 mm+/-10 mm in length and end edges 3162
that are about 660+/-10 mm in length. Thus, because absorbent core
3154 is centered on top sheet 3156, a distance from each side edge
3160 of core 3154 to the adjacent side edge 3130 of top sheet 3156
is about 45 mm and a distance from each end edge 3162 of core 3154
to the adjeacent end edge 3132 of top sheet 3156 is about 55
mm.
[0325] Absorbent core 3154 is adhered to top sheet 3156 and the
perimetral edge portions of top sheet 3156 are adhered to edge
regions of backsheet 3100. As shown in FIG. 34A, prior to
attachment of top sheet 3156 and absorbent core 3154 to backsheet
3100, strips 3164 of hot melt adhesive are slot coated onto
backsheet 3100 at first and second ends of backsheet 3100 adjacent
to end edges 3132. As shown in FIG. 34B, prior to attachment of top
sheet 3156 and absorbent core 3154 to backsheet 3100, strips 3166
of hot melt adhesive are spray coated to backsheet 3100 at first
and second sides of backsheet 3100 adjacent to side edges 3130. The
width of strips 3164 is about 45 mm and the width of strips 3166 is
about 39.5 mm in some embodiments. After strips 3164, 3166 of
adhesive are applied to backsheet 3100, top sheet 3156 and
absorbent core 3154 are mated with backsheet 3100 with edges 3130,
3132 of top sheet 3156 substantially aligned with edges 3130, 3132
of back sheet.
[0326] Referring now to FIG. 35, an exploded end elevation view of
the incontinence detection pad 1510 is shown. In the illustrative
embodiment, pad 1510 comprises a polypropylene spunbond nonwoven
layer top sheet 3156, a layer 3168 of hot melt adhesive, absorbent
core 3154 made of airlaid material, a foam spacer 3170 of the RFID
tag, foam adhesive 3172, the RFID tag or inlay 1512, the spray
coated adhesive strips 3166, one of the slot coated adhesive strips
3164, and the backsheet 3100. Top sheet 3156 has a weight of about
15 gsm to about 17 gsm in some embodiments. According to this
disclosure, a series of foot indicia or graphics 3174 and a series
of head indicia or graphics 3176 is printed near edges 3130 of top
sheet 3156. Such graphics are shown, for example, in FIGS. 59A-62D,
65A-69D, and 70.
[0327] Layer 3168 of adhesive has a weight of 2 gsm in some
embodiments. Layer 3168 is a lined, combed, slot coated layer
having adhesive applied in rows along the machine direction of top
sheet 3156 that are about 1 mm wide and that are spaced apart by
about 4 mm. Such lined, combed, slot coating of adhesive 3168
results in incontinence detection pad 1510 having a ribbed or
furrowed upper surface texture. This texture can be seen in the
digital photos of FIGS. 69A-69E. The ribbed texture serves to trap
any fluid, such as urinary incontinence, on pad 1510 and to reduce
the chances that the fluid will run off pad 1510. In other
embodiments, a different combed, slot coating may be used such as
for example, 1 mm glue strips with 1 mm gaps for 50% coverage or 2
mm glue strips with 10 mm gaps for 17% coverage. Strips 3164 may be
similarly slot coated in any of these manners in some embodiments.
Adhesive strips 3166 have a weight of about 2 gsm and adhesive
trips 3164 have a weight of about 6 gsm in some embodiments.
Absorbent core 3154 has a weight of about 135 gsm and comprises
Fitesa B871M135S30 airlaid material in some embodiments.
[0328] Referring now to FIG. 36, a diagrammatic view of a
manufacturing process is shown in which a roll 3200 of backsheet
material has a series of single electrode traces 3202 forming a
closed circuit between contacts of the associated RFID tags 1512.
As indicated diagrammatically at block 3204 in FIG. 36, a test for
short circuit is performed to read the RFID tag 1512 to confirm
that no breaks exist in the associated electrode trace 1512. If the
short circuit test is failed, a serial number of an RFID chip of
RFID tag 1512 is stored in memory of a computer device on the
manufacturing line for later use.
[0329] After the short circuit test of block 3204 is conducted, the
roll of material 3200 is cut at a location that severs sacrificial
trace portion 3134 from the rest of the associated trace 3202 as
indicated diagrammatically at block 3206. After the cut, a single
backsheet 3100 is formed with spaced apart traces 3102, 3104
thereon. The sacrificial trace portion 3134 associated with the cut
backsheet 3100 is left behind on the next adjacent backsheet 3100
which has not yet been cut. The backsheet 3100 is cut at the
leading end of roll 3200. In some embodiments, material 3200 is
folded in the machine direction along one or more of the fold lines
3142 shown in FIG. 31 prior to the cutting operation of block
3206.
[0330] Later in the manufacturing process, the tag 1512 of each
incontinence detection pad 1510 is read again, as indicated at
block 3208 in FIG. 36, to identify any rejected pads 1510 that
failed the test at block 3204 due to having a broken electrode
trace 3202. The identification is accomplished by comparing the
serial number read from tag 1512 with the serial number(s) of
rejected pads that are stored in memory. The rejected pads, once
identified, are removed from the manufacturing line. In some
embodiments, a mark is added to any incontinence pad 1510 for which
the first electrode trace does not form a completed short circuit
between the terminal ends of the first electrode trace as
determined by the testing 3204. Therefore, the mark indicates a
rejected incontinence detection pad 1510. For example, the mark may
become visible when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light.
[0331] In some embodiments, when RFID tag 1512 is read at block
3208, data from tag 1512 is analyzed to confirm that traces 3102,
3104 form an open circuit. This open circuit test is performed to
confirm that sacrificial trace portion 3134 has successfully been
severed from the associated electrode traces 3102, 3104. If the
roll of material 3200 becomes out of registry with the
manufacturing equipment doing the cutting, it would be possible for
the cut to miss the sacrificial trace portion 3134 and leave a
short circuit electrode trace 3202 on the backsheet 3100 after the
cutting operation. Thus, the open circuit test at block 3208
monitors for this out of registry situation.
[0332] It should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, the
tests at one or both of blocks 3204, 3208 are performed after the
absorbent core 3154 and top sheet 3156 are attached to backsheet
3100. The cutting operation 3206 is performed after such attachment
of the core 3154 and top sheet 3156 to the backsheet material of
roll 3200 in some embodiments. In such embodiments, the short
circuit test at block 3204 can be performed before or after the
attachment of core 3154 and top sheet 3156 to the leading end
material of roll 3200.
[0333] Referring now to FIGS. 37-39, an alternative embodiment of
an incontinence detection pad 3210 is shown. Pad 3210 is similar to
pad 1510 and so the same reference numbers are used to denote like
portions of pads 1510, 3210. As shown in FIG. 38, pad 3210 includes
polypropylene spunbond nonwoven top sheet 3156 having indicia 3174,
3176, layer of intermittent hot melt adhesive 3168, absorbent core
3154 of airlaid material, hot melt adhesive 3166 spray coated at
the sides of the incontinence detection pad 3210, hot melt adhesive
3164 slot coated along the length of the incontinence detection pad
3210 but with an uncovered strip or region 3214 along the length of
the pad 3210, an alternative embodiment of an RFID tag 3212
situated beneath the uncovered strip 3214 of slot coated hot melt
adhesive 3164, and backsheet 3100. Thus, adhesive covers more area
of backsheet 3100 of pad 3210 than pad 1510. The uncovered region
3214 prevents the adhesive from fouling RFID tag 3212.
[0334] Referring now to FIG. 39, the detail of first and second
electrode traces 3102, 3104 on backsheet 3100 of pad 3210 can be
seen. Electrode 3102 includes a first straight trace portion 3216
which extends in the machine direction of pad 3210 and first and
second straight trace portions 3218, 3220 which extend in the cross
direction of pad 3210. Trace portions 3218, 3220 are substantially
perpendicular to trace portion 3216 and extend therefrom toward
electrode 3104. Electrode 3210 also has a second straight trace
portion 3222 extending from trace portion 3220 in the machine
direction of pad 3210 and terminating at an electrical contact 3224
of RFID tag 3212. Electrode 3104 includes a first straight trace
portion 3226 which extends in the machine direction of pad 3210 and
first, second, and third straight trace portions 3228, 3230 which
extend in the cross direction of pad 3210. Trace portions 3228,
3230, 3232 are substantially perpendicular to trace portion 3226
and extend therefrom toward electrode 3102. Trace portion 3232
terminates at an electrical contact 3234 of RFID tag 3212. The
termination of trace portions 3222, 3232 at respective electrical
contacts 3224, 3234 of RFID tag 3212 are shown best in the enlarged
bubble of FIG. 39.
[0335] Referring now to FIGS. 40-42, a series of RFID tags 3212 are
shown provided on a roll 3236 of release liner 3237. During the
manufacture of pads 3210, tags 3212 are removed from roll 3236 and
attached to the backsheet 3100. Each tag 3212 has an inlay film
3238, an inlay antenna 3240, and a layer of adhesive 3242 including
non-conductive portions 3244 and conductive portions 3246 as shown
in FIG. 41. The release liner 3237 is also shown in FIG. 41.
Electrical contacts 3224, 3234 are included as part of inlay film
3238. In some embodiments, antenna 3240 is made of aluminum. A pair
of inclined arms 3242 interconnects electrical contacts 3224, 3234
with an RFID chip of tag 3212.
[0336] It should be appreciated that RFID tags 1512 of pads 1510
also are provided on rolls 3236 of release liner 3237 for
manufacture. One such RFID tag 1512 on release liner 3237 is shown
in FIG. 57. RFID tag 1512 has an antenna and electrical contact
inlay 3250. In some embodiments, inlay 3250 is made of aluminum.
Inlay 3250 includes a pair of large antenna patches 3254, a first
undulated trace 3256 interconnecting patches 3254, a first
electrical contact 3258, a second electrical contact 3260, a second
undulated trace 3262 extending from contact 3258 toward contact
3260, and a third undulated trace 3264 extending from contact 3260
toward contact 3258. A pair of arms 3266 extends from patches 3254
and a U-shaped trace 3268 interconnects arms 3266. Pair of straight
traces 3270 extends from respective undulated traces 3262, 3264 and
terminate in U-shaped trace 3268.
[0337] RFID tag 1512 includes an RFID chip which is very small and
that electrically couples to traces 3268, 3270. One suitable RFID
chip is a model no. SL3S1003_1013 UCODE G2iM 2015 chip available
from NXP Semiconductors N.V. of Eindhoven, Netherlands. The
dimensions of this RFID chip are 1 mm by 1.45 mm by 0.5 mm. This
RFID chip used in RFID tag 1512 has memory with a tamper evident
status bit that is used to indicate with the pad is wet or not wet
and a kill bit to indicate whether the pad has been wet previously.
The tamper evident status bit and the kill bit have already been
discussed herein.
[0338] As shown in FIG. 58, foam tag cover 3170 is attached to RFID
tag with layer 3172 of hot melt adhesive. As also shown in FIG. 58,
RFID tag 1512 includes a tag inlay film 3272 over antenna and
electrical contact inlay 3250, patches 3274 of conductive adhesive
beneath ends of inlay 3250, and a layer of nonconductive adhesive
3276 in the central region of inlay 3250 The patches 3274 of
conductive adhesive are larger than electrical contacts 3258, 3260
and it is these larger patches 3274 that electrically couple to
electrodes 3102, 3104 of backsheet 3100 of pad 1510. This can be
seen in the digital photos of FIGS. 69F and 69G, for example.
[0339] Referring now to FIG. 43, another embodiment of a backsheet
3300 has a substrate 3303 and first and second electrode traces
3302, 3304 formed on the substrate 3303 by pairs of spaced and
parallel elongated trace portions 3306 and a plurality of angled
trace portions 3308 that bridge the space between the pair of
spaced and parallel elongated trace portions 3306 to form a large
number of conductive pathways between first and second terminal
ends 3310, 3312 of the electrodes 3302, 3304. The angled trace
portions 3308 are each non-parallel with, and non-perpendicular to,
either of the pair of spaced and parallel elongated trace portions
3306. Thus, in the illustrative example, spaces between adjacent
pairs of the plurality of angled traces 3308 are shaped as
rhomboids.
[0340] As best shown in FIG. 44, the spaced and parallel elongated
trace portions 3306 and the angled trace portions 3308 have
substantially equal widths. The widths of portions 3306, 3308 are
each about 1 mm. As also shown in FIG. 44, a distance 3314 between
outside boundaries of the parallel elongated trace portions 3306 is
about 3 mm. It should be appreciated that an RFID tag, such as tag
1512, is attached to the substrate 3303 so that electrical contacts
of the RFID tag electrically couple with terminal ends 3310, 3312
of the electrodes 3302, 3304. In some embodiments, substrate 3300
is similar to substrate 3100 in that it comprises a sheet or film
of polyethylene on which electrodes 3302, 3304 are printed and a
layer of nonwoven material adhered to the sheet or film of
polyethylene. According to this disclosure, electrodes having
portions 3306, 3308 like those shown in FIGS. 43 and 44 can be
substituted for the electrodes of each of the other incontinence
detection pads disclosed herein.
[0341] By having spaces, illustratively shaped as rhomboids,
between trace portions 3306, 3308, less conductive ink is needed to
print the electrodes 3302, 3304 than if these traces were 3 mm wide
solid lines. Thus, the design of trace portions 3306, 3308
represents a manufacturing cost savings. Also, the thinner widths
of trace portions 3306, 3308 allows for faster drying times and/or
use of lower curing temperatures due to the increased edge surface
area. Thus, less damage to the trace and to the thin backsheet
substrate as compared to solid traces of the same width is realized
with the trace design of FIGS. 43 and 44.
[0342] Referring now to FIG. 45, spaced electrodes 3402, 3404 have
respective trace segments 3406, 3408, some of which are
interdigitated. Electrodes 3402, 3404 are similar to those provided
on the various incontinence detection pads disclosed herein.
According to this disclosure, a sentinel electrode trace 3410 is
formed as a closed loop closely adjacent to the pair of spaced
electrodes 3402, 3404. If either of traces 3402, 3404 breaks at any
point therealong, the ability of the associated incontinence
detection pad to sense wetness is potentially comprised. The closer
the break is to terminal ends 3412, 3414 of electrodes 3402, 3404,
respectively, the worse the problem. Such breakage in electrodes
3402, 3404 may occur, for example, when an associated incontinence
detection pad is used by one or more caregivers (typically two or
more) to reposition a patient in bed. When the pad is grabbed by
the caregivers, localized stress and deformation of the backsheet
occurs which can potentially cause breaks in the electrodes 3402,
3404.
[0343] Sentinel trace 3410 provides a means for testing for breaks
in traces 3402, 3404. In particular, sentinel trace 3410 is tested
from time to time to confirm that a short circuit exists between
terminal ends 3416, 3418 of trace 3410. If sentinel trace 3410
passes the short circuit test, the assumption is that electrodes
3402, 3404 are not broken at any point because the sentinel trace
3410 is not broken. However, if sentinel trace 3410 fails the short
circuit test, then a break has developed in sentinel trace 3410
which causes the trace 3410 to become an open circuit (assuming
there is no wetness on the associated incontinence detection pad
that would bridge the break in trace 3410). If trace 3410 fails the
short circuit test, then the assumption is that at least one of
electrodes 3402, 3404 has also developed a break at an adjacent
location to the break in trace 3410.
[0344] Referring now to FIGS. 47-49, first, second and third
embodiments of dual RFID tags 3420a, 3420b, 3420c are shown. Each
tag 3420a, 3420b, 3420c has a common substrate 3422 to which first
and second antennae 3424, 3426 are coupled. Substrate 3422 also
carries a first pair of electrical contacts 3428, 3430 that are
associated with antenna 3424 and a second pair of electrical
contacts 3432, 3434 that are associated with antenna 3426.
Electrical contacts 3428, 3430 couple to terminal ends 3412, 3414
of the pair of spaced apart electrodes 3402, 3404. Electrical
contacts 3432, 3434 couple to terminal ends 3416, 3418 of the
sentinel electrode trace 3410. In FIG. 47, tag 3420a is configured
such that antennae 3424, 3426 are situated between pair of contacts
3428, 3430 and pair of contacts 3432, 3434. In FIG. 48, tag 3420b
is configured such that pair of electrical contacts 3428, 3430 is
situated between antenna 3424, 3426. In FIG. 49, tag 3420c is
configured so that pair of electrical contacts 3428, 3430 and the
pair of electrical contacts 3432, 3434 are situated between
antennae 3424, 3426.
[0345] The end portions of electrodes 3402, 3404, 3410 are routed
appropriately in each of embodiments 3420a, 3420b, 3420c so that
terminal ends 3412, 3414, 3416, 3418 reach the respective
electrical contacts 3428, 3430, 3432, 3434 without any-portions of
electrodes 3402, 3404, 3410 extending over any portions of antenna
3424, 3426. Antennae 3424, 3426 each include a pair of spaced apart
end patches, 3436, a central patch 3438, and a pair of undulated
segments 3440 that interconnect respective patches 3436 with patch
3438. A pair of RFID chips such as those discussed above are
included in each of tags 3420a, 3420b, 3420c and interconnect
respective pairs of electrical contacts 3428, 3430, 3432, 3434 with
the associated antennae 3424, 3436.
[0346] Tags 3420a, 3420b, 3420c are configured so that when the
pair of RFID chips are interrogated or irradiated with energy, they
respond after a random delay period such that the responses occur
at different times. This permits the reader to take an inventory to
identify the pair of RFID chips included in tags 3420a, 3420b,
3420c. Once the chips are identified by the reader, the reader is
able to dictate which chip of the pair of chips of tags 3420a,
3420b, 3420c are to respond to the next successive interrogations.
Thus, a single reader is used to read the RFID chip coupled to
electrodes 3402, 3404 separately from reading the RFID chip coupled
to sentinel electrode 3410. Accordingly, collisions and overlap of
the transmissions from the RFID chips of tags 3420a, 3420b, 3420c
are avoided.
[0347] Referring now to FIGS. 50 and 51, a dressing 3450 has a
central base sheet 3452 including a pair of electrode traces 3454,
3456 on opposite surfaces for detecting wound moisture and for
detecting incontinence. Dressing 3450 further includes a first
fluid permeable cover sheet 3458, a first layer of absorbent
material 3460, a second layer of absorbent material 3462, and a
second fluid permeable cover sheet 3464. Base sheet 3452 has a
first RFID tag 3466 on top surface thereof and a second RFID tag
3468 on a bottom surface thereof. Tags 3466, 3468 are electrically
coupled to respective electrodes 3454, 3456 on the top and bottom
surfaces of base sheet 3452. As shown in FIG. 52, the illustrative
dressing 3450 is sized and configured for attachment to a sacral
region of a patient. In this regard, base sheet 3452, absorbent
material 3460, 3462, and covers 3458, 3463 are each triangular in
shape.
[0348] Electrodes 3454, 3456 and RFID tag 3468 on the bottom
surface of base sheet 3452 serve as a first moisture detection
sensor that transmits a first signal in response to detecting
moisture, such as blood or wound exudate, from the wound of the
patient. Electrodes 3454, 3456 and RFID tag 3466 on the top surface
of base sheet 3452 serve as a second moisture detection sensor that
transmits a second signal in response to detecting incontinence
from the patient. In some embodiments, the base sheet comprises
polyethylene. Optionally, a periphery of the base sheet 3452 has
adhesive for attachment of the dressing to the patient.
Alternatively or additionally, medical tape is used to attach
dressing 3450 to the patient. In either case, a peripheral region
of the base sheet 3452 extends beyond boundaries of the first and
second cover sheets 3458, 3464. Furthermore, a first peripheral
region of the first cover sheet 3458 extends beyond a first outer
periphery of the first layer of absorbent material 3460 and a
second peripheral region of the second cover sheet 3464 extends
beyond a second outer periphery of the second layer of absorbent
material 3462.
[0349] According to this disclosure, the first RFID tag 3466 and
the second RFID tag 3468 have random delay times in connection with
transmission of data in response to being excited with energy. At
least one of the first and second RFID tags 3466, 3468 is
configured to receive a wireless message commanding the respective
first or second RFID tag 3466, 3468 not to transmit any data in
response to a next excitation of energy. In some embodiments, the
first electrodes 3454 on the top and bottom surfaces of base sheet
3452 and the second electrodes 3456 on the top and bottom surfaces
of base sheet 3452 include conductive ink printed on the respective
top and bottom surfaces of the base sheet 3452.
[0350] In some embodiments, the base sheet 3452 is made from a
single layer of material. In other embodiments, the base sheet 3452
includes a first base sheet layer and a second base sheet layer
removably coupled to the first base sheet layer. The first base
sheet layer may carry the one of the moisture detection sensors
3454, 3456, 3466, the first layer of absorbent material 3460, and
the first cover sheet 3458. The second base sheet layer may carry
the other moisture detection sensor 3454, 3456, 3468, the second
layer of absorbent material 3462, and the second cover sheet 3464.
The first base sheet layer along with the associated moisture
detection sensor 3454, 3456, 3466, the first layer of absorbent
material 3460, and the first cover sheet 3458 are removable from
the second base sheet layer to permit replacement of the first base
sheet layer along with the first moisture detection sensor 3454,
3456, 3466, the first layer of absorbent material 3460, and the
first cover sheet 3458 after an incontinence event without the need
to replace the second base sheet layer carrying the second moisture
detection sensor 3454, 3456, 3468, the second layer of absorbent
material 3463, and the second cover sheet 3464.
[0351] Referring now to FIGS. 53A, 53B, and 54, a diagrammatic view
of a healthcare facility 3500 has a number of hospital beds 1110
located in respective rooms which are labeled rooms 100-109. In the
illustrative example, each bed 1110 has circuitry that is
configured to communicate via Wi-Fi with a hospital network. Such
circuitry may be the bed control circuitry, such as circuitry 1302
shown diagrammatically in FIG. 13, or may be the circuitry of
another system on the bed 1110, such as the circuitry of reader
1112 of incontinence detection system 1100. A technician 3502
carries a computer 3504 which serves as a configuration hotspot
according to this disclosure. Computer 3504 is represented
diagrammatically as a circle with a notch in FIGS. 53A, 53B, and
54. The discussion below uses the example of computer 3504 linking
with the circuitry of beds 1110 for wireless communication but the
discussion is equally applicable to computer 3504 linking for
wireless communication with other wireless capable devices located
in the particular room.
[0352] When technician 3502 carries computer 3504 in a hallway 3506
of healthcare facility 3500, such as shown in FIG. 53A, computer
3504 is too far away from the wireless-capable devices, such as
beds 1110 and/or incontinence detection systems 1100, located in
the patient rooms 100-109, for any wireless communication to occur
therebetween. Thus, no wireless communication links exist between
computer 3504 and beds 1110 when technician 3502 is in hallway
3506. However, when technician 3502 enters into one of the rooms,
such as shown in FIG. 53B in which technician 3502 has entered room
105, computer 3504 and the bed 1110 in room 105 are able to
communicate wirelessly once computer 3504 is in close enough
proximity with bed 1110. Proximity on the order of 2 to 10 feet is
contemplated by this disclosure, for example, to permit wireless
communication between computer 3504 and each of beds 1110.
[0353] After computer 3504 and the bed 1110 in room 105 have
automatically established wireless communications, which occurs
within just a few seconds of computer 3504 being brought in close
enough proximity to bed 1110, the portable computer 3504 transmits
a service set identifier (SSID) to bed 1110 which, in turn, detects
the SSID included in the transmission from the portable computer
3504. Once the SSID is detected by bed 1110, the bed disconnects
from the hospital network thereby ceasing communications with the
network of healthcare facility 3500. The portable computer 3504
then establishes a secure shell (SSH) connection with the bed 1110
in room 105. After the SSH connection is established, computer 3405
or another remote computer of a service network then reconfigures
the bed 1110 via the SSH connection. Such reconfiguring includes
downloading additional software modules to bed 1110 thereby to
provide the bed 1110 with additional or enhanced functionality,
replacing existing software modules of bed 1110 with new software
modules 1110, and/or replacing all of the software of bed 1110 with
new software.
[0354] After bed 1110 of room 105 has been reconfigured and the
technician 3502 carries computer 3504 away from the bed 1110 by a
sufficient distance, bed 1110 of room 105 then automatically
reconnects with the network of the healthcare facility. As shown in
FIG. 54, the technician 3502 has left room 105 and has entered room
106 where the process just described repeats for the bed 1110 in
room 106. Of course, if desired, the technician 3502 carries
computer 3504 to each of rooms 100-109 so that the beds 1110 in
each room are reconfigured.
[0355] Referring now to FIG. 55, a flow chart shows an algorithm
used by medical devices, such as the illustrative hospital beds
1110 of FIGS. 53A-54, to connect to and disconnect from the
computer 3504 carried by the technician 3502. The algorithm starts
at block 3510 and proceeds to block 3512 where the hospital bed
1110, one of which is shown next to the flow chart in FIG. 55,
connects to the hospital network 1518 which is shown
diagrammatically in FIG. 55. The algorithm proceeds from block 3512
to block 3514 where the circuitry of bed 1110 determines whether a
configuration network is detected (e.g., whether computer 3504 is
in communicative proximity of bed 1110). If the computer 3504 is
not detected, the algorithm proceeds to block 3516 and a wait
period of some amount of time, 10 seconds in the illustrative
example, transpires until the algorithm proceeds back to block
3512.
[0356] If at block 3514 the circuitry of bed 1110 does detect
computer 3504, the algorithm proceeds to block 3518 to determine
whether the signal strength of the transmission(s) from computer
3504 is adequate. If the signal strength is not adequate, the
algorithm proceeds back to the wait time block 3516 and proceeds
from there. If at block 3518 the circuitry of bed 1110 does
determine that the signal strength is adequate, the circuitry of
bed 1110 proceeds to connect to the service network (illustratively
indicated as being a portion of network 1518 in the FIG. 55
example). The bed 1110 is then reconfigured via the service network
and/or computer 3504.
[0357] During the reconfiguring process and thereafter, the
circuitry of bed 1110 monitors the signal strength of the
communications between the bed 1110 and the service network and/or
computer 3504 as indicated at block 3520. If the signal strength is
not adequate at block 3520, then the circuitry of bed 1110
disconnects from the service network and/or computer 3504 as
indicated at block 3522, after which the algorithm proceeds back to
the time delay block 3516 and the proceeds from there.
[0358] Based on the foregoing, it should be understood that a
method according to this disclosure includes providing
reconfigurable devices, such as beds 1110 and/or incontinence
detection systems 1100, in a plurality of patient rooms,
configuring a portable computer 3504 as a WiFi hotspot, programming
the portable computer 3504 to transmit a service set identifier
(SSID), transporting the portable computer into communicative
proximity of a first reconfigurable device so that the
reconfigurable device is able to detect the SSID included in a
transmission from the portable computer 3504, detecting the SSID in
the first reconfigurable device, ceasing communications, in the
first reconfigurable device, with network 1518 of healthcare
facility 3500, using the portable computer 3504 to establish a
secure shell (SSH) connection with the first reconfigurable device,
and reconfiguring the reconfigurable device via the SSH
connection.
[0359] In some embodiments, the method may further include
checking, in the reconfigurable device, to determine if a signal
strength of the transmission from the portable computer 3504 having
the SSID meets a threshold signal strength prior to ceasing
communications with the network 1518 of the healthcare facility
3500. Alternatively or additionally, the method may further include
transporting the portable computer out of communicative proximity
of the first reconfigurable device and, in response, the first
reconfigurable device may automatically reconnect to the network
1518 of the healthcare facility 3500. For example, automatically
reconnecting to the network 1518 may occur only after a threshold
amount of time has passed after the portable computer 3504 is
transported out of communicative proximity of the first
reconfigurable device. The threshold amount of time may be about
ten seconds in some embodiments.
[0360] In some embodiments, the portable computer 3504 and the
first reconfigurable device communicate via wireless transmissions.
The portable computer 3504 and the first reconfigurable device may
communicate according to the TCP/IP protocol, for example.
Alternatively or additionally, the first reconfigurable device may
communicate via wireless transmissions with the network 1518 of the
healthcare facility 3500. The plurality of reconfigurable devices
may include hospital beds 1110. Alternatively or additionally, the
plurality of reconfigurable devices may include incontinence
detection systems 1100.
[0361] Network 1518 may have, therefore, a first set of computer
devices (e.g., a regular hospital network) with which the bed 1110
communicates in the absence of computer 3504 and a second set of
computer devices (e.g., a service network) with which bed
communicates when computer 3504 is present in the respective room
and in close enough proximity to the bed 1110 for successful
wireless communications. Software to reconfigure each bed 1110 is
stored on computer 3504 and transmitted directly to the bed 1110
from computer 3504 in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the
software to reconfigure each bed is transmitted from a remote
computer device of the service network to bed 1110 via computer
3504. In further embodiments, the software to reconfigure each bed
is transmitted from a remote computer device of the service network
to bed 1110 via a wireless access point of the network 1518, for
example, without involving computer 3504 in the communication path.
However, in such embodiments, computer 3504 is required to be in
communicative proximity with the bed 1110 even though it is not in
the communication path to the bed 1110 for the software with which
the bed 1110 is to be reconfigured.
[0362] The bed software reconfiguration system and method disclosed
herein is an improvement over reconfiguration systems and methods
of the prior art requiring a direct wired connection between beds
and a reconfiguration computer such as a lap top. In the
contemplated system, service technicians use a tablet PC 3504 with
a built-in wireless access point, or "hotspot". This portable PC
3504 gives a lot of mobility to the technician. By utilizing the
wireless capabilities of both the tablet PC 3504 and the medical
devices, such as beds 1110 and/or incontinence detection systems
1110, a wireless relationship between the clients (the devices) and
the service administrative tools (the tablet PC) is formed. By
eliminating the need for a physical connection to a device, bed
reconfiguration requires less time than when physically interfacing
with a device is required. Thus, the contemplated bed
reconfiguration system and method permits faster configuration and
lower field service cost. In some embodiments, service logic is
abstracted from the product and placed onto the configuration
device, thereby reducing project costs tied to implementation of
service logic. After a device is reconfigured, there is a quick
return to standard operation for the reconfigured devices.
[0363] To achieve the benefits of the disclosed system and method,
a reconfiguration software module is programmed into the
reconfigurable device at manufacturing. Such a software module
includes a specific, secured wireless profile with the SSID
(broadcasted wireless network name), for instance, "HR_Config." A
simple script (i.e., software code of the reconfiguration software)
checks for the presence of the "HR_Config" SSID at a set interval.
If the SSID is detected, the reconfiguration software then checks
for the "strength" of the signal. If the strength is acceptable,
meaning that the access point 3504 is nearby, it will connect to
it. If the reconfigurable device is already connected to the
HR_Config SSID, it can monitor the strength of the broadcasted
signal and if it becomes too weak, it will disconnect from the
HR_Config wireless network and resume normal operation.
[0364] By using the strength of the signal of a broadcasted
wireless network, decisions can be made as to whether the strength
is strong enough that the module should connect to the network, and
vice versa, if the strength is weak, to disconnect from the
network. What this achieves is, in essence, a controlled "sphere of
influence" that surrounds the technician as they navigate a
facility with computer 3504. The devices within this sphere of
influence are capable of being configured. As soon as the
technician 3502 navigates to a new area, and the device is no
longer within the sphere of influence, it will automatically
disconnect and resume standard operation.
[0365] FIGS. 56A-56I, 59A-59G, 60A-60G, 61A-61E, 62A-62D, 63A-63D,
64A-64D, 65A, 65B, 66A, 66B, 67A-67D, 68A-68D, 69A-69L, and 70 show
the ornamental features of incontinence detection pads according to
the present disclosure and may form the basis for future design
patent applications claiming priority to the present
disclosure.
[0366] Some of the above embodiments may be described in terms of
functional block components and various processing steps. Such
functional blocks may be realized by any number of hardware and/or
software components configured to perform the specified functions.
For example, embodiments may employ various integrated circuit
components, e.g., memory elements, processing elements, logic
elements, look-up tables, and the like, which may carry out a
variety of functions under the control of one or more processors,
microprocessors or other control devices. Similarly, where the
elements of the above embodiments are implemented using software
programming or software elements the embodiments may be implemented
with any programming or scripting language such as C, C++, Java,
assembler, or the like, with the various algorithms being
implemented with any combination of data structures, objects,
processes, routines or other programming elements. Furthermore, the
embodiments could employ any number of conventional techniques for
electronics configuration, signal processing and/or control, data
processing and the like. The word "mechanism" may be used broadly
and is not limited to mechanical or physical embodiments, but can
include software routines in conjunction with processors, etc.
[0367] The particular implementations shown and described herein
are illustrative examples and are not intended to otherwise limit
the scope of the claims in any way. For the sake of brevity,
conventional electronics, control systems, software development and
other functional aspects of the systems (and components of the
individual operating components of the systems) may not be
described in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines, or
connectors shown in the various figures presented are intended to
represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical or
logical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted
that many alternative or additional functional relationships,
physical connections or logical connections may be present in a
practical device. Moreover, no item or component disclosed herein
is intended to be an essential element. Numerous modifications and
adaptations will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art
without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments.
[0368] The order of execution or performance of the operations in
embodiments illustrated and described herein is not essential. That
is, the operations may be performed in any order, unless otherwise
specified, and embodiments as described may include additional or
fewer operations than those disclosed herein. For example, it is
contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation
before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation is
within the scope of aspects of the present disclosure.
[0369] Embodiments may be implemented with computer-executable
instructions. The computer-executable instructions may be organized
into one or more computer-executable components or modules. Aspects
of the disclosure may be implemented with any number and
organization of such components or modules. For example, aspects of
the disclosure are not limited to the specific computer-executable
instructions or the specific components or modules illustrated in
the figures and/or described herein. Other embodiments may include
different computer-executable instructions or components having
more or less functionality than illustrated and described
herein.
[0370] Although certain illustrative embodiments have been
described in detail above, variations and modifications exist
within the scope and spirit of this disclosure as described and as
defined in the following claims.
* * * * *